Exclusive | Top EU technology official still concerned about Beijing’s access to data from Chinese firms
- Andrus Ansip, in charge of EU digital issues, says the possibility of cybersecurity breaches in 5G networks is troubling
- His remarks came a day after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang tried to allay such concerns at the EU-China summit
The top official overseeing 5G technology policies for the European Union said on Wednesday he is concerned that Chinese companies are legally bound to share information with the government’s intelligence apparatus back home – a stark example of the high-level resistance confronting Chinese officials as they fight Western attempts to block Chinese tech giants.
Andrus Ansip – one of the European Commission’s five vice-presidents, under President Jean-Claude Juncker – made the remarks in an interview with the South China Morning Post, just a day after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang disputed diplomatic concerns about industrial espionage.
Ansip highlighted the urgency for the EU to complete its assessment of potential security threats, as several member nations plan to issue licences for 5G networks soon.
“Indeed, we will have to deal with risk assessment and the need for action is now; otherwise it will be too late,” Ansip said. “This has an influence on our economy and our democracy.”
“Any vulnerability in 5G networks or a cyberattack targeting the future networks in one member state would affect the union as a whole,” he said.
While these concerns have been raised before, they have become a priority in the last year. Not only have nations begun to plan for their next-generation 5G communications networks, but the US has pressed its allies to keep Chinese tech companies out of their plans.