Leak details: Beijing defends Huawei in UK’s 5G network row
Amid row over the Huawei deal with the United Kingdom to build her 5G network, Beijing has defended the technologies firms . China`s ambassador in London, Liu Xiaoming, said Britain should resist pressure from other nations.
“The UK should make “independent” decisions about whether to let Huawei help build its 5G network”, Xiaoming said.
The US, Australia and New Zealand say the Chinese firm is a security risk because of its ties to the state. But writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Liu Xiaoming said Britain should resist pressure from other nations.
He said risks should be taken seriously but added the company had enjoyed a “good track record on security”.
Last week, the Daily Telegraph reported the UK had agreed to allow Huawei limited access to help build Britain’s new 5G network, amid warnings about possible risks to national security.The paper also reported that various ministers had raised concerns about the plan.
But defending Huawei, Mr Liu said: “Countries of global influence, like the UK, make decisions independently and in accordance with their national interests.
“When it comes to the establishment of the new 5G network, the UK is in the position to do the same again by resisting pressure, working to avoid interruptions and making the right decision independently based on its national interests and in line with its need for long-term development.”
Meanwhile, Britain’s top civil servant has demanded ministers co-operate with his inquiry into the leaking of discussions about Huawei at the National Security Council.
Sir Mark Sedwill wrote to ministers on the council and their special advisers after details of the meeting appeared in the media.
Much of the attention has focused on five ministers who were said to have voiced objections to the Huawei decision – Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.
All five, however, have either publicly denied being the guilty party or let it be known through aides that they were not responsible.
Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark, who is also the National Security Adviser, is leading the internal inquiry.
Reactions continue to dro in from stakeholders. Some of them are curious as to how the detail of the meeting at the council came out. Reacting, the finance minister said that Britain must get to the root of the issue.
“Britain must get to the bottom of the leak of confidential discussions during a top-level security meeting about the role of China’s Huawei Technologies in 5G network supply chains”, British finance minister Philip Hammond said.
However, British ministers and intelligence officials have said any final decision on 5G would not put critical national infrastructure at risk.
Meanwhile, Ciaran Martin, head of the cyber centre of Britain’s main eavesdropping agency, GCHQ, played down any threat of a rift in the Five Eyes alliance #Leak details: Beijing defends Huawei in UK’s 5G network row
