Britain urged to deflect pressure over Huawei

Liu Xiaoming, the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, on Sunday urged Britain to “resist pressure”, “avoid interruptions” and “make the right decisions independently” over its decisions on dealing with the Chinese telecoms giant, Huawei, saying that “Huawei has had a good track record on security over the years.”

In his signed article in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper, Liu said, “Britain can and must work with Huawei on 5G.”

When it comes to the establishment of the new 5G network, the UK can show that “it is ready for the responsibility of being a leader in global free trade” 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,” he said.

The article was published after Huawei is again making headlines in the UK. The past week witnessed the start of a heated debate in Britain over what decision to make with regard to the development of the 5G network in the country.

The Chinese ambassador voiced his understanding of Britain’s security concerns, Liu said, “This is because 5G, as representative of an entire new generation of communications technology, is not perfect and does still need improvements.”

“These risks should be taken seriously but risks must not be allowed to incite fear,” he said. “They can be managed, provided countries and companies work together.”

“In an age of globalization, no country can achieve development behind closed doors,” he said. “Win-win cooperation is the only way.”

“Huawei has had a good track record on security over the years, having taken the initiative to invest in a Cyber Security Evaluation Center which employs an all-British monitoring system,” the ambassador said. “The company has been working hard to improve its technology and to enhance the security and reliability of its equipment.”

In Britain, Huawei has contributed 2 billion pounds (2.58 billion U.S. dollars) to the economy over the past five years through investment and procurement, and created more than 7,500 jobs in this country, he noted.

Across the world, the Chinese company has built more than 1,500 communications networks, works in more than 170 countries and regions and provides services to more than one third of the world’s population, he said.

“This not just show the progress of a single company but bears testimony to the success of win-win cooperation,” he said.

“If China and the UK can keep the long-term goal in mind, follow the trend of globalization and stick to independent decision making, openness and cooperation, they can work together to build a future of win-win results,” Liu added.