Opinion | By banning Huawei, Britain is turning its back on a 5G-dominated future

The UK could either choose to cooperate with Huawei and gain an edge in the era of the digital economy, or refuse such cooperation and give up leadership in the next industrial revolution. History does not wait for the hesitant

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Huawei's flagship store building is seen in Shanghai. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 3:00am, 29 Jul 2020Updated: 4:17am, 29 Jul 2020

The British government’s recent decision to remove Huawei from its 5G networks is disappointing and disheartening, because I believe refusing Huawei is refusing opportunities, refusing growth and refusing the future.

Over 200 years ago, China missed the historic opportunity of the First Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain, and learned a lesson the hard way. Now, as the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds, with fifth-generation mobile networks as key infrastructure, Britain runs the risk of missing the opportunity to take part, or even take the lead, in this thriving new development because it is turning its back on Huawei.

This means rejecting the most innovative company and most advanced technology in 5G. The result will be much slower development of the 5G industry in Britain.

Huawei is a microcosm of growing Chinese investment in Britain, which in the past 10 years alone has increased by 20 times and enabled Chinese and British companies to work closely together to achieve innovation and common development. As Britain strives to achieve full 5G and fibre coverage by 2025, Huawei would have been a great help.

Britain has been presented with an opportunity to match up its strengths in talent, technology and creative ideas with Huawei’s strong manufacturing capabilities and outstanding research team to take the lead in the era of 5G. However, this invaluable opportunity has been rejected.

There is no doubt 5G will create new impetus for global growth. This is particularly true given the economic impact of Covid-19 on the world, including Britain, that has resulted in the most severe recession in decades. Post-pandemic economic recovery is a daunting task for all countries.

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