DADO RUVIC/Reuters
China’s Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. has launched a British advertising campaign to highlight its role in building the country’s broadband and mobile networks ahead of a British security review that could see further restrictions on its activities.
Vice-president Victor Zhang said Huawei had been in Britain for 20 years, during which time it had helped build the third generation and 4G mobile networks, and was committed to continuing to develop the connectivity the country needs.
“As a private company, 100-per-cent owned by employees, our priority has been to help mobile and broadband companies build a better connected U.K.,” he said on Monday.
“Britain needs the best possible technologies, more choice, innovation and more suppliers, all of which means more secure and more resilient networks.”
The ads will run in national newspapers, business publications and online for three to four weeks.
Britain designated Huawei a “high-risk vendor” in January, capping its 5G involvement at 35 per cent and excluding it from the data-heavy core of the network.
But pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson from the United States and lawmakers in his own party has continued unabated. They say Huawei’s equipment could be used by Beijing for spying. Huawei has repeatedly denied the allegations.
The U.S. has tightened sanctions on Huawei, limiting its ability to produce the microchips needed for its equipment.
British security officials are examining the impact of the new sanctions, and newspaper reports say they could recommend Huawei’s involvement to be reduced to zero over time.
Mr. Zhang said he strongly opposed the U.S. move, adding that the decision would damage the semi-conductor industry’s global supply chain.
“We are working closely with our partners and supplier to take a full and comprehensive examination of these new laws and will discuss with customers and the government the next steps,” he told reporters.
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