Researchers put Huawei deals on hold over spy fears

OXFORD UNIVERSITY has cuts ties with Huawei, the Chinese technology company, amid security concerns.

An email sent to computer science doctoral students at the university said that all new research grants and sponsorships from Huawei had been paused for at least three months. The email also warned students not to pass sensitive information to Huawei employees.

According to an email seen by the South China Morning Post, the university’s committee that reviews donations “met last week and have decided to suspend Huawei as an approved gift donor/research sponsor”.

The Daily Telegraph understands the ban on research grants is indefinite rather than a temporary measure. A source said the ban was prompted by a Telegraph story published in December in which MPS urged British universities to exercise “extreme caution” over their links to Huawei.

Huawei has faced criticism from intelligence agencies around the world over its close links to the Chinese government. The company has regularly denied any suggestions that its technology could be used for espionage.

A spokesman for Oxford University said yesterday: “We hope these matters can be resolved shortly and note Huawei’s willingness to reassure governments about its role and activities.”

A Huawei spokesman said: “We were not informed of this decision and await the university’s full explanation.”