Huawei security allegation dismissed

China has never heard of any country having a security problem from working with Huawei Technologies Co, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Monday, after a top executive of the company was detained in Canada.

Huawei has signed 5G network contracts with over 20 countries, “which shows that the company has been fully recognized”, Lu said at a regular news briefing in Beijing.

“We have noticed that recently some people in some countries have expressed concerns over the ‘possible’ threat of Huawei to their national security, but none has provided any convincing evidence to prove it,” he said.

On Friday, European Union technology commissioner Andrus Ansip said the bloc should worry about Huawei and other Chinese technology companies because of the risk to EU industry and security.

Lu called it “ridiculous” to set up obstacles to a company’s normal operation based on speculation, and said it is not conducive to mutually beneficial cooperation among countries. Huawei just signed a cooperation agreement with a Portuguese company last week, and officials in France and Germany have welcomed Huawei to invest in and work with companies in those countries, he said.

“These examples demonstrate that Huawei has won increasing trust from international partners,” Lu said, calling on nations to provide a fair, transparent and just environment for Chinese companies.

Also, a trade mission to China by the Canadian province of British Columbia was canceled. Beijing has warned Ottawa of “grave consequences” if Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou is not released immediately. Lu said it is up to Canada to explain the cancellation.

“China always acts entirely in accordance with the law,” Lu said, noting that consequences will be up to Canada.