BERLIN (AP) — Germany will ban critical components made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE from the core of the country’s 5G network in two stages starting in 2026, the country’s top security official said Thursday.
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has been considering for years what to do about parts made by Chinese suppliers for its new generation of mobile phone networks.
Interior Minister Nancy Fazer said critical components from Huawei and ZTE will be removed from 5G core networks by the end of 2026, while the two manufacturers’ “critical control systems” in 5G access and transport networks must be replaced by the end of 2029.
The decision follows negotiations in recent weeks with Germany’s 5G network operators Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefonica, and the interior ministry said deals are due to be signed with all three companies.
“We have very carefully investigated the risks to Germany’s 5G mobile phone networks from critical components manufactured by Huawei and ZTE,” Pfaeser said when announcing a “clear and strict agreement” with German operators.
“In this way we are protecting Germany’s central nervous system as a business location and safeguarding the communications of its citizens, companies and state,” she said. “We must reduce security risks and, unlike in the past, avoid one-sided dependency.”
Today’s threats underscore the importance of a secure communications infrastructure, especially given the “risks of sabotage and espionage,” Faeser said.
“There is no concrete evidence or scenario that Huawei technology poses a cybersecurity risk,” the company said in a statement late on Thursday, adding that it “will continue to promote improvements and progress in cybersecurity and advance the build-out and digitalization of mobile networks in Germany.”
In recent years, the United States has sought to protect its European allies. United Kingdom and Sweden Japan has called for Huawei equipment to be banned or restricted from its phone networks, citing concerns that China could use it for cyber snooping and disruption of critical communications infrastructure – allegations Huawei has repeatedly denied. Australia, new zealand and Canada Similar measures were taken.
Last year, the government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Strategy made The strategy for improving ties with China mentions “systematic competition” with the Asian power and the need to reduce the risks of economic dependence, but also underscores Berlin’s desire to cooperate with Beijing on issues such as climate change and maintain trade ties. Criticism from Beijing.
Scholz Visited China President Trump visited the country in April for the second time since taking office at the end of 2021.
Asked about the planned announcement on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing in Beijing that Huawei and other Chinese companies have built high-quality infrastructure for Europe and created many jobs, and there is “no evidence that they endanger the national security of European countries.”
“Politicizing economic, trade and science and technology issues will only undermine normal technical exchanges and cooperation and will not benefit any party,” he said.
Mutual distrust between the West and China has been growing since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
On Wednesday, NATO allies, including Germany, It’s called China “A decisive driving force” Russia’s War He expressed concern about Beijing’s nuclear weapons and space capabilities. Beijing responded He accused NATO of pursuing its security at the expense of other countries and urged it not to bring the same “chaos” to Asia.
