China calls on France not to discriminate against Huawei in 5G rollout

The Chinese Embassy in Paris said it took note of recent media reports that Chinese technology company Huawei could face restrictions on its 5G development in France, calling on local authorities to “treat all companies equally.”

In a statement released on Sunday, the embassy said that “We are deeply shocked and concerned,” adding that “President Emmanuel Macron and other senior French officials have repeatedly reaffirmed that France would not take discriminatory measures against a specific country or company, and it would not exclude Huawei.”

“We fully understand the concerns of a sovereign country over the security of 5G networks. But they have to be based on science and facts, and the measures taken must be proportionate.”

Rejecting security fears about Huawei, the embassy stressed that the Chinese telecoms giant offers “important technology, cost and market advantages.”

“In fact, Huawei’s 5G equipment is completely reliable and has never presented any technical or security risk, nor left any ‘back doors’,” it stressed.