Germany’s Bold Move to Ban Huawei and ZTE Incites China’s Wrath

The Chinese embassy in Berlin has expressed its strong dissatisfaction with reports that Germany intends to exclude Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network. According to a statement from the embassy, if the reports are true, China is puzzled by the decision and opposes the generalization of national security concepts and the abuse of power to interfere with market cooperation.

The embassy claimed that such behavior violates economic laws, and principles of fair competition, and harms others. Zeit Online reported that Germany’s cybersecurity agency and interior ministry had spent months examining the country’s 5G networks for potential security risks before making the decision.

Huawei and ZTE have been accused by Western security officials of posing threats to national security and privacy due to their close ties to Beijing. However, both companies have denied any involvement in security risks. Although Germany has passed legislation to beef up its security standards for its next-generation networks, it has yet to introduce an outright ban on Chinese firms, unlike other Western countries.

Nonetheless, Germany has become more reliant on Huawei for its 5G network, with the company providing nearly 60% of base stations and related infrastructure. The embassy believes that Germany’s reported plan to ban Huawei and ZTE would delay the rollout of the country’s 5G services, and calls on the German government to listen to the rational voice in its country.