Huawei dismisses claims that it poses a security risk to Australia
CHINESE telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies said Australian claims that it poses a security risk are “illinformed” as it published an open letter yesterday that threatens to inflame already heightened Beijing-Canberra tensions.
Huawei is likely to be banned by Australia from participating in a 5G mobile telecommunications rollout in the nation as it fears Huawei is de facto controlled by China’s government, and sensitive infrastructure would fall into the hands of Beijing, according to Australian media reports.
Huawei denies the allegations, and in a move that threatens to draw Australian politicians into a public spat that will further strain relations with China, dismissed Canberra’s security concerns.
“Recent public commentary around China has referenced Huawei and its role in Australia and prompted some observations around security concerns,” Huawei Australia chairman John Lord and board directors John Brumby and Lance Hockridge wrote in the unprecedented letter. “Many of these comments are ill-informed and not based on facts.”
Huawei said it operates in 170 countries, abiding by national laws and guidelines. The company said it has 5G investments in Britain, Canada and New Zealand where it said the respective governments had taken up its offer to evaluate the company’s technology to make sure it abides by cyber-security protocols.
Australia has longstanding concerns about Huawei. In 2012, it banned the company from supplying its massive National Broadband Network, and in May Canberra committed millions of dollars to ensure Huawei did not build an internet cable between Australia and the Solomon Islands.
A decision on 5G would come amid a low in Beijing-Canberra relations. Canberra is preparing to pass laws designed to limit Beijing’s influence in domestic affairs following criticism by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull late last year that Beijing was meddling in its affairs.
“It won’t be great for the relationship if Australia bans Huawei, but it won’t come as a huge surprise,” said Merriden Virrall, director at Australian think-tank the Lowy Institute.
“What is important is how Australia articulates it. Australia can’t make sweeping statements about great foreign powers. That will determine the response from China.”
Alienating China could herald additional trade restrictions from Beijing, analysts said, as six Australian wines continue to suffer in shipping supplies to China. – Reuters