5G-front: Hungary refuses to join the anti-China coalition
Despite the United States’ request, the Hungarian government will not join an international 5G-front that is against China. Although it would be a game-changer for Washington and the US Embassy in Budapest is putting pressure on them even in the Hungarian media, Hungary is about to stay out of the battle.
After asking the Hungarian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (KKM) and the US Embassy in Budapest about the so-called 5G Clean Network Program, Index suggests that even if Hungarian-American relations have seemingly settled during the Trump era, a conflict between the two countries was predictable well before the election of Joe Biden.
The cold war between Washington and Beijing
The American government believes, if Chinese telecommunications corporations participate in the building of 5G infrastructure, the whole western world’s communication system will be compromised.
Washington launched its Clean Network international campaign that would guarantee the security of 5G networks even beyond US borders, in August. When talking in favour of the program, Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State of the resigning Trump administration raised arguments against the Chinese government and the telecommunications giant Huawei.
According to the US, Chinese multinational companies like Huawei access information flow on the network by their 5G tools and then hand it to the government in Beijing.
It seems clear that the 5G Clean Network Program has become one of the frontlines of the cold war between Washington and Beijing and goes far beyond the security issue of the telecommunications infrastructure.
Strategic interests also depend on the success of the American program: if the US and its allies phase out of the market, not only will the western companies experience considerable financial losses, they will also fall back in the technology race – which could change the game of the great geopolitical chess.
Hungary did not join
So far, forty countries and fifty telecommunications companies have joined the 5G Clean Network Program, including twenty-seven NATO member states and market leader companies. They all dismiss tools suitable for intelligence gathering used by the Chinese Communist Party – explained the US Embassy to Index.
But Hungary decided to stay out of it, even though the Embassy tries to assert US interests even through communicational offensive. Content supporting the program have appeared both on ‘Nyugati pályán’ Facebook page and on ‘Szabad Európa’ news site; both funded by Washington. They also placed paid adverts about the dangers of the observer state of the Chinese Communist Party on mfor.hu and Válasz Online websites. Last April, an American diplomat also made it clear at a private event at the Hungarian University of Public Service (NKE), that Washington is watching the actions of Chinese 5G companies, and allies that go against American interests can even expect sanctions.
Hungary stands out on the map
At a press conference in October, Mike Pompeo Secretary of State presented what the 5G Clean Network Program accomplished so far, with an unambiguous message to the Hungarian Government. Washington’s Foreign Ministry published the graphics that was showed in the presentation representing the European states that have joined the program. Hungary – like an island – stands out being white and Slovenia is written on it with an arrow pointing to its actual direction.
Photo: https://www.state.gov/the-transatlantic-alliance-goes-clean/
On the other hand, Hungary’s relationship with China is blooming, according to Péter Szijjártó Hungarian Foreign Minister who listed several economic interests, for example that in the last ten years, five billion dollars-worth Chinese investments arrived to Hungary, and the companies that moved here employ fifteen thousand Hungarians. In addition to this, Huawei has opened another office in Hungary just less than a month ago.
When asked about any other possible interests influencing the governments’ decision, the KKM only said: “Hungary is open and provides a fair environment to law-abiding foreign investors. The decision regarding the possibility of joining the Clean Network initiative is made exclusively in the best interest of Hungary.”
Read alsoThe U.S.’s new secretary of state could be a person of Hungarian origins
Read alsoHow will Biden treat Hungary?
Source: Index
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2 Comments
‘Hungary is about to stay out of the battle’? By using Huawei 5G technology it has de facto taken sides. There are viable alternatives to Huawei’s 5G made by global players such as Nokia, whose technology although more expensive is technologically more advanced than Huawei’s. Hungary has a long history of being on the wrong side of history and this will prove to be yet another example in the long run.
The American Calculus is simple !
They are waiting for the PLN and PLAF to move against Taiwan ! If Trump ACTUALLY leaves office (which I doubt),then he will make a move on Iran and Taiwan.The move on Iran will also involve the IAF.(Israeli Air Force).dindooohindoo
Once a clash starts over Taiwan between USA and PRC, “SOME” ASEAN nations will join the US bandwagon, and Mr Lee of Singapore will be silent.Mr Lee’s Singapore,a few years ago,was using US spy technology,to spy on Thai Satellites and Encrypted Communications.
The 1st to break will be the Pinos and Malaysia (in the post Mahatir era).Japan and Seoul will always be in the American camp.Japan has A LARGE population and cannot to have a Tax and TBT on exports to PRC – as it is an export driven economy – and so,their joining RCEP is an economic compulsion, and they will remain an implacable foe of the PRC.Besides,Nippon and Seoul are signalling Beijing – that they expect Xi and the PLA to REIN IN DPRK !
The same applies to Aussie and Kiwis.If Kiwi Agri exports fall,or are subject to Import Taxes and TBT in PRC – there will be a revolution in Kiwi land.Aussies have the same problem in minerals and agri exports to PRC – besides the fact that Indonesia is next to PRC, and has a HUGE Freight differential advantage w.r.t Aussies and w/o the concessional duties the Aussie Coal exports to PRC,would vanish.Like Japan, the Aussies will be an implacable foe of PRC as their interests and ideologies,will NEVER match or converge.
Therefore ,with RCEP, it is CERTAIN that some disaster will happen in South China Sea BEFORE January 20,2021, to rip open the faultlines in the RCEP ,and also, to leave a FAREWELL PRESENT for Biden and the PRC (and possibly prolong Trump in the White House – if he loses the legal challenges).So , as an example.if the Japs send in their Navy,to flank the US Navy – then,they will be out of RCEP. If DPRK uses the Taiwan Straits,as an opportunity,to make a move on Seoul,and PRC does not restrain DPRK, then Seoul will be out of the RCEP..
If the Americans FAIL to stop the PLN and PLAF – then Vietnam will also chicken out
Therefore, it is absolutely certain that a South China Sea disaster is inevitable in less than 60 days, and depending on its impact on the perception on the RCEP partners, other disasters will also unfold.
There is only 1 TRANSCENDENTAL ENEMY OF THE PRC, in EAST AND SOUTH ASIA, AND IN THE ANTI-CHINA CAMP – and that is India – which is in the lap of Israel and hanging on, to the coattails of the USA. This is the destiny of the Indians. Chou En Lai saw it a long time ago.
Japan has also seen it ! That is Y Japan said that it will NOT join RCEP unless INDIA joins ! This ain’t Ripley’s believe it or not. The sense and logic of the Japanese statement is irrelevant. THE STATEMENT IS,BY ITSELF HISTORY. There is something that the Leaders of Nippon see in India – which the Japanese hoi polloi do not (as they revile India and Indians).
And that is the common hatred of the PRC – the state, and then the denizens, thereof !