Image copyright
fake pictures
China’s ambassador to the United Kingdom called Britain’s decision to ban telecommunications giant Huawei from its 5G network “disappointing and wrong.”
The UK government has ordered companies to remove Huawei equipment from the system by 2027.
It follows sanctions imposed by the United States, which claim that the Chinese company represents a threat to national security, something that Huawei denies.
United States President Trump welcomed the UK decision and called Huawei “insecure”.
“We convinced many countries, many countries, and I did it for the most part, not to use Huawei because we think it is an insecure security risk, it is a great security risk,” he said.
Huawei has repeatedly said that it would not harm any country.
In response to the ban, Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming questioned whether the UK can provide a “fair” business environment for foreign companies.
“Disappointing and wrong UK decision on Huawei,” he tweeted.
“It has become questionable whether the UK can provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for companies from other countries.”
Huawei’s UK communications director Ed Brewster told BBC Newsnight that the ban had been announced “due to pressure from the United States.”
“I think this is clear, it is not about security, it is about commerce. This is a campaign by the United States focused on attacking our business and attacking technology, and that is because the United States is behind technology,” he said. .
“Today’s decision is driven by the trade and trade policy of the United States, the concerns of the United States about falling behind in technology. We are on an … escalation of long-term trade disputes by the United States in about how you want to retain technology leadership. “
Brewster also moved to distance the company from the perception that it is an arm of the Chinese state, adding: “That is the perception but it is wrong. We are a private technology company. The trust we have created around the world is with our clients (and) telecommunications networks.
“We do not work for governments, we work for telecommunications networks.”
Image copyright
Reuters
Donald Trump called Huawei a “great security risk”
What does the ban consist of?
UK mobile phone providers are banned from buying new Huawei 5G equipment after December 31, and they must also remove all of the Chinese firm’s 5G kit from their networks by 2027.
The decision came after the UK’s National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) warned that highly restrictive US sanctions meant that the safety of Huawei’s equipment could not be guaranteed.
- Why is the UK 5G network banned from Huawei?
- Trudeau rejects calls to free Huawei executive
In announcing the ban to the House of Commons on Tuesday, Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden said it had not been an easy decision, but it was the right one for UK telecommunications networks, national security and the UK economy. .
He said the move would delay the country’s launch of 5G by one year and that the cumulative cost, along with previously announced restrictions against Huawei, would be up to £ 2 billion.
Media playback is not supported on your device
5G technology promises faster internet speeds and the ability to support more wireless devices, which should be a boon for everything from mobile games to higher-quality video broadcasts. 5G connections are already available in dozens of UK cities and towns, but coverage may be poor.
The UK last reviewed Huawei’s role in its telecommunications infrastructure in January, when it decided to let the company remain a provider, but introduced a limit on its market share.
But in May, the United States introduced new sanctions designed to disrupt Huawei’s ability to make its own chips.
The Trump administration claims that Huawei provides a gateway for China to spy on and potentially attack countries that use its equipment, suggestions that the company firmly rejects.
Members of the Five Eyes alliance, which also includes the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, have been asked by the United States to avoid the Huawei kit.
