Purchase the China AI Report 2020 brought to you by SCMP Research and enjoy a 20% discount (original price US$400). This 60-page all new intelligence report gives you first-hand insights and analysis into the latest industry developments and intelligence about China AI. Get exclusive access to our webinars for continuous learning, and interact with China AI executives in live Q&A. Offer valid until 31 March 2020.
Source:
https://scmp.com/tech/gear/article/3049764/china-warns-france-against-blatant-discrimination-against-huawei-5g Tech
China warns France against treating Huawei differently from European competitors for 5G contracts
- The Chinese embassy in Paris urged France to establish “transparent criteria and treat all companies in a similar way”
- “We do not wish to see the development” in China of Finland’s Nokia and Sweden’s Ericsson being “impacted”, the embassy said
The US has been pressuring European allies to ban Huawei over fears that China’s government may be able to access its systems for spying. Photo: AFP
China warned France against treating Huawei Technologies differently from European competitors when it comes to future 5G network equipment contracts, as the US mounts a campaign to keep the Chinese tech giant at bay.
In a lengthy statement issued on Sunday on its website, the Chinese embassy in Paris urged France to establish “transparent criteria and treat all companies in a similar way”, referring to telecom equipment makers.
It also warned that a difference in treatment based on the country of origin would be considered “blatant discrimination” and “disguised protectionism.”
The statement also carried a veiled warning.
“We do not wish to see the development” in China of Finland’s Nokia and Sweden’s Ericsson being “impacted because of discrimination and protectionism” against Huawei by France and other European countries, the embassy said.
The statement comes as France prepares to auction off 5G spectrum in April. France’s main carrier, Orange, has already announced it would leave Huawei out of its 5G network and work instead with Nokia and Ericsson.
But two other French carriers who’ve been reliant on Huawei for their 4G networks, Altice Europe’s SFR and Bouygues’ telecoms unit, have yet to say who their 5G partners will be.
The US has been pressuring European allies to ban Huawei over fears that China’s government may be able to access its systems for spying. Huawei and Beijing officials deny there’s any such risk.
“Huawei’s 5G equipment are totally safe” and have never presented any “back door” lapses, the statement from the embassy added.