“Brussels intends to offer EU countries a plan to phase out Chinese equipment in critical infrastructure that would effectively cut off access to telecommunications networks, solar power systems and security scanners to companies like Huawei and ZTE.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: Financial Times with reference to European high-ranking officials
Details: According to the publication’s sources, the proposal on cyber security, which the European Commission is to present on Tuesday, January 20, will make mandatory the currently existing voluntary regime of limiting or excluding “high-risk suppliers” from the European market.
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The move is linked to an update of the EU’s security policy and an effort to reduce dependence on both large US technology companies and Chinese suppliers suspected of potentially collecting sensitive data.
Previous recommendations have been unevenly implemented by member states and several European countries continue to rely on Chinese technology. Last summer, for example, Spain signed a €12 million contract with Huawei to supply equipment to store wiretaps carried out by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Literally: “The exact timing of phasing out Chinese equipment will depend on the risk assessment of the specific supplier and the economic sector. Costs and the availability of alternatives will also be taken into account.”
Details: Industry representatives point to the difficulty of implementing the plan because, for example, more than 90% of solar panels installed in the EU are made in China. Telecom operators also warned of possible price increases for consumers in the event of an outright ban.
After the official presentation, the draft law will be discussed with the European Parliament and EU member states. Resistance is expected from some capitals, as the issue of national security remains the competence of individual states.
Prehistory:
- In 2024, the European Commission initiated searches in the European offices of the Chinese company Nuctech, which produces equipment for cargo scanners, and also initiated an investigation into manufacturers of trains and wind turbines from the PRC.
- Back in November 2022, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned the import and sale of telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE, as well as video surveillance systems from Hikvision and Dahua, recognizing them as a threat to national security.
- A number of European countries, including Great Britain, Sweden and the Baltic states, have already introduced a complete ban on the use of Huawei equipment in their 5G networks. Germany in 2024 agreed to a plan that requires operators to remove Chinese components from the backbone 5G network by the end of 2026.
- In 2018, French publication Le Monde published an investigation into how Chinese-built servers at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia secretly transmitted data to Shanghai every night for five years. Hidden microphones were also found in the walls and office furniture of the building.