Huawei comments by Bolsonaro’s son harmed relations with Brazil, says China
- Eduardo Bolsonaro had said on Twitter that Huawei technology was ‘Chinese espionage’
- Several of his comments ‘darken the friendly atmosphere between the two countries’, Chinese embassy says
The rift was the latest chapter in a battle between China and the United States over US claims that China’s Huawei Technologies Co is a security threat. The United States imposed trade restrictions on Huawei in September. Huawei has repeatedly denied being a security risk.
Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, the president’s son, has made statements that “darken the friendly atmosphere between the two countries and hurt the image of Brazil”, the Chinese embassy wrote on Twitter.
Part of the initiative focuses on building 5G mobile phone networks that exclude equipment from China’s Huawei and ZTE. Brazil’s top carriers, meanwhile, are already testing Huawei equipment for 5G and have said they would prefer to have as many options as possible.
Eduardo Bolsonaro on Monday referred in a tweet to Huawei technology as “Chinese espionage”, before deleting the post.
In a post that remains visible, he wrote that the Clean Network initiative is meant to counteract “enemies of liberty”, such as the “Chinese Communist Party”.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, the Chinese embassy called the comments “totally unacceptable”.
Huawei has said it abides by Brazil’s laws and is available for any tests and clarifications authorities deem necessary.
