Germany’s proposal on 5G network security leaves door open for China’s Huawei, sparking criticism

Chancellor Angela Merkel reported to have stepped in to ensure tech giant was not prohibited from pitching for contracts

But draft rules likely to face significant resistance from lawmakers in the Bundestag, observer says

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel intervened to ensure Chinese tech giant Huawei was not banned from pitching for 5G contracts, a business newspaper reported. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:15am, 17 Oct 2019Updated: 7:48am, 17 Oct 2019

A draft proposal on Germany’s new security requirements for 5G network suppliers that does not preclude the involvement of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies has drawn criticism from lawmakers and diplomats in Berlin and Washington.

According to the paper, which is now undergoing a consultation process, telecoms providers will be obliged to obtain “proof of trustworthiness” of the equipment manufacturers and suppliers they work with.

But while there had been suggestions that Huawei, which has been accused of building “back doors” into its products that can be exploited by Beijing, might be excluded from bidding for Germany’s 5G contracts, leading business newspaper Handelsblatt reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel personally intervened to prevent such a ban.

Speaking about the proposals on Monday, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said: “We are not taking a pre-emptive decision to ban any actor, or any company.”

Germany’s security proposals for 5G network suppliers have been widely criticised. Photo: DPA

The news was not well received at the German foreign ministry, which had been arguing for the need to better protect national security. “Some in the foreign ministry are unhappy about it,” a European diplomatic source said.

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