Increasing tensions with Beijing, a senior European Union official has urged further EU nations to prohibit Chinese telecom companies ZTE and Huawei from using their 5G networks.
In order to protect their national security, more member states should stop upgrading their mobile internet infrastructure with “high-risk” vendors like Huawei and ZTE, according to EU commissioner for the internal market Thierry Breton.
The EU developed a “5G cybersecurity toolbox” in January 2020 with the intention of detecting the dangers associated with include particular 5G infrastructure providers in its rollout. as occurred at the same time as several nations, including the U.K., decided to forbid Huawei because to security concerns.
Breton stated in a speech on Thursday that “we will continue to work with determination with the Member States that are lagging behind and the telecommunications operators.”
“I can only underscore how crucial it is to hasten the removal of high-risk providers from 5G networks. I’ve also reminded the concerned telecoms operators that it’s time to address this problem.
According to Breton, just 10 EU nations have so far restricted or outright barred Huawei from using their 5G networks.
To prevent exposure to Huawei and ZTE, Breton stated that the Commission would apply the 5G toolbox principles to its own purchase of telecom services.
China subsequently stated, as reported by Reuters, citing a representative for the Chinese foreign ministry, that it vehemently opposes the ban on Huawei imposed by several EU nations and maintains that the Commission has legal authority to do so.
Breton’s remarks come in response to reports that Germany is debating whether to exclude Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network due to purported national security dangers. China’s embassy in Germany responded by stating that it was “puzzled and strongly dissatisfied” by the reports.
A Huawei official told CNBC that the company “strongly opposes and disagrees with the comments made by representatives from the European Commission.” “This is clearly not based on a verified, transparent, objective, and technical assessment of 5G networks.”
“Huawei is aware of the European Commission’s concern over maintaining EU-wide cybersecurity. Discriminatory judgments-based limitations or exclusions, however, have significant economic and societal hazards. Both innovation and the EU market would be distorted by it.
The proposed actions by the Commission were labeled “unfortunate” by a ZTE spokeswoman, who added that they “do not appear to be based on any specific articulable concerns.”
The representative for ZTE stated that the company “strongly agrees that the safety and security of 5G networks in EU member states is of essential importance.”
Huawei is not allowed to operate in the 5G networks of the United States and its allies, including the United Kingdom and Australia.
Beijing may utilize Huawei and ZTE technology for spying, according to claims made by Washington officials. Beijing and the corporations both reject the accusations.
China has been referred to by the EU in the past as a “partner,” “economic competitor,” and “systemic rival.”
But more lately, it has tended to emphasize the “system rival” aspect of it, attempting to maintain China as a close ally while simultaneously being apprehensive of its expanding influence in the creation of vital technology.
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