Surveillance software in Southern China

Story link: Surveillance software in Southern China by Lin Freestone

China Public Security Technology, a provider of real-time geographic information system and software operating service in China, is to provide software that links to a minimum of 20,000 police surveillance cameras being installed along streets in southern China. China Security is a market leader in a quickly growing industry in China.

China Public is also creating computer chip residency cards that will be issued to most of Shenzhen’s 12.4 million residents, and to those in nearby neighbourhoods. Data on the cards will include the citizen’s name, address, work history, educational background, religion, police record, personal reproductive history and many other personal details.

The company’s camera software will allow Chinese police to automatically recognize the faces of suspects and detect unusual activity.

Helping Chinese police agencies has been profitable for China Public Security and its investors. The company estimated in May 2007 that it would earn an after-tax profit of $12.5m on sales of $27m this year. Two hedge funds that bought stakes have more than doubled their money since investing in early February 2007.

China Public Security Technology is focused on the development and implementation of large scale, high-tech public security and geographic information system (GIS) related projects. The company provides a broad portfolio of fully integrated solutions and services, including public security information technology (first responder coordination platform, intelligent border control and intelligent security surveillance), geographic information system (police-use GIS and civil-use GIS), and e-Government platform services, software sales and maintenance.

China Public Security is traded in the United States on the obscure over-the-counter bulletin board market, and has a market capitalisation of $185.3m. It is preparing to seek a Nasdaq listing in 2008. The company is run by Lin Jiang Huai, who holds more than $100m worth of China Public Security stock.