Liu Xiaoming, China’s ambassador to the UK, has said that Conservative politicians’ opposition to Huawei is nothing short of a ‘witch-hunt’.
The comment came after some senior Conservatives wrote to MPs raising concerns over the government’s decision to give Huawei a role in the UK’s 5G networks.
The group wanted any “high-risk” telecommunications equipment vendors ruled out, which included Huawei.
Kind of a witch-hunt
"The reason why the [UK] prime minister decided to keep Huawei is he has a very ambitious plan for the UK, he wants to have 5G coverage in the UK by 2025, and Huawei can help."
Liu Xiaoming, China’s UK ambassador.
Liu Xiaoming certainly had a different opinion, stating that the Senior Conservatives "were totally wrong”, when he appeared on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show yesterday.
"I think what they are doing is a kind of a witch-hunt," he said. "Huawei is a private-owned company, nothing to do with the Chinese government... the only problem they have is they are a Chinese company."
However, senior Conservatives remain very much opposed to Huawei, saying that its involvement in 5G poses a serious security risk. And the disagreement could lead to the first significant Commons rebellion against Boris Johnson's government.
Mr Lui was keen to reiterate that Huawei operates separately from the Chinese state and it isn’t working for the government to relay information.
"The reason why the [UK] prime minister decided to keep Huawei is he has a very ambitious plan for the UK, he wants to have 5G coverage in the UK by 2025, and Huawei can help." Lui went on to say.
Huawei alternatives
The US is currently encouraging other countries to search for alternatives to Huawei and senior conservatives are also on the lookout. And a letter written by the four ex-cabinet ministers stated that they were "working to find a better solution".
"We are seeking to identify a means by which we ensure that only trusted vendors are allowed as primary contractors into our critical national infrastructure," it reads.
And whilst the government has decided to allow Huawei to supply equipment, it will only account for 35% of the UK’s 5G technology, with the firm’s equipment will be excluded from areas near military bases and nuclear sites.
- Get the latest 5G stocks news today
- How 5G and Wi-Fi 6 will transform networking
- We reveal how 5G technology works
- Here's what to expect from 6G in 2030
