China's Huawei rebuts Australian security concerns amid Sino-Canberra tensions
Huawei’s move threatens to draw Australian politicians into a public spat that will further stain relations with China
Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies refuted Australian claims it poses a security risk, calling the criticism “ill-informed” in an open letter on Monday that threatens to inflame already heightened Sino-Canberra tensions.
Australia is likely to ban Huawei from participating in a 5G mobile telecommunications roll-out in the nation as it fears the company is de facto controlled by China and sensitive infrastructure will 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 stain 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.”
