Italians must retain control of sensitive data, such as their personal finances, and prevent “an undemocratic country” like China from gaining access, Reuters quoted Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini as saying on Monday.

Salvini made the statement responding a question about US action against Chinese telecoms equipment group Huawei.

The League party leader said that “China is not a democracy and has a certain spirit of imperialism and control.” Salvini also said on La7 television that the Chinese government held sway over its state companies. “Italians’ sensitive data must remain in Italian hands,” the politician said.

International alliances and security are a separate matter from initiatives taken to support domestic companies, Salvini said, commenting on a memorandum of understanding signed between Italy and China.