Germany to bar Chinese companies’ components from core parts of its 5G networks

BERLIN — Germany will ban the use of critical components made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in core parts of the country’s 5G networks in two steps starting in 2026, the country’s top security official said on Thursday.

Germany, which has Europe’s largest economy, has long pondered what to do with components made by Chinese suppliers in its next-generation cellular networks.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said critical components from Huawei and ZTE will be excluded from 5G core networks by the end of 2026, while the two manufacturers’ “critical management systems” will be excluded from 5G access and transport networks. They must be replaced by the end of 2029.

The decision follows negotiations in recent weeks with Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica, which operate Germany’s 5G networks, and agreements will be signed with all three companies, the Interior Ministry said.

“We have very carefully examined the risks of critical components manufactured by Huawei and ZTE in German 5G mobile networks,” Faeser said in announcing the “clear and strict agreement” with the German operators.

“With this we protect the central nervous system of Germany as a place of business and protect the communication of citizens, companies and the State,” he said. “We must reduce security risks and, unlike in the past, avoid unilateral dependencies.”

Current threats underscore the importance of secure telecommunications infrastructure, particularly “with an eye to the dangers of sabotage and espionage,” Faeser said.

“There is no evidence or specific scenario that Huawei technology has cybersecurity risks,” the company said late Thursday in a statement, adding that it “will continue to promote the improvement and progress of cybersecurity, and promote “the construction of mobile networks and digitalization in Germany.”

In recent years, the United States successfully pressured European allies, including Brittany and Sweden ban or restrict Huawei equipment on its phone networks over fears that Beijing could use it for cyber spying or sabotage critical communications infrastructure, accusations Huawei has repeatedly denied. Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada have taken similar measures.

The government of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last year outlined a strategy for relations with China that alludes to a “systemic rivalry” with the Asian power and a need to reduce the risks of economic dependence, but highlights Berlin’s desire to work with Beijing on challenges such as climate change and maintain commercial ties. The strategy drew Beijing criticism.

Scholz visited china in April on his second trip to the country since taking office in late 2021.

Asked about Thursday’s expected announcement at a daily news briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Huawei and other Chinese companies have been building high-quality infrastructure for Europe and creating many jobs, and “there is no evidence that they endanger national well-being.” security of European countries.

“Politicizing economic, trade and scientific issues will only undermine normal technical exchanges and cooperation and will not be in the interests of any party,” he said.

Mutual suspicion between Western countries and China has increased since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

On Wednesday, NATO allies, including Germany called china a “decisive facilitator” of The Russian War and expressed concern about Beijing’s nuclear arsenal and its capabilities in space. Beijing responded accusing NATO of seeking security at the expense of others and told the alliance not to bring the same “chaos” to Asia.