China accuses US of trying to block its tech development

China’s government on Monday accused the United States of trying to block its industrial development by alleging that Chinese telecom gear is a cybersecurity threat.

And in a potential blow to the US claims, British media reported that the country’s intelligence agencies have found it is possible to limit the risks of using Chinese-made networks, AP reported. The US says that Beijing might use Chinese tech companies to gather intelligence about foreign countries. The US has been putting pressure on allies to shun networks supplied by Huawei Technologies, threatening the company’s access to global markets for next-generation wireless gear.

The company, the biggest global maker of switching gear for phone and internet companies, denies accusations it facilitates Chinese spying. Its founder said last month it would reject any government demands to disclose confidential information about foreign customers.

The US government is trying to “fabricate an excuse for suppressing the legitimate development” of Chinese enterprises, said the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang.

Geng accused the United States of using “political means” to interfere in economic activity, “which is hypocritical, immoral and unfair bullying.”

US Vice President Mike Pence, speaking this week in Germany, urged European allies to take seriously “the threat” he said was posed by Chinese networks maker Huawei as they look for partners to build the new 5G mobile networks.

Pence said Huawei and other Chinese telecom equipment makers provide Beijing with “access to any data that touches their network or equipment.” He appealed to European governments to “reject any enterprise that would compromise the integrity of our communications technology or our national security systems.”

The United States has released no evidence to support its accusations against Huawei and other tech companies. That has prompted some industry analysts to suggest Washington is trying to use security concerns to handicap Chinese competitors.

“China has not and will not require companies or individuals to collect or provide foreign countries’ information for the Chinese government by installing backdoors or other actions that violate local laws,” said Geng.