A news release from the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community on Thursday shows it has signed contracts with mobile network operators obligating the latter to stop using all critical components made by Huawei and ZTE in their 5G core networks by the end of 2026.
The news release cites “greater security and technological sovereignty for the German 5G mobile network” as the justification. But that excuse is unreasonable and groundless. Chinese telecommunications companies, including Huawei and ZTE, have long operated legally and compliantly in Germany, making contributions to its digital progress and economic growth without any suggestion they were endangering the country’s security.
That German politicians are targeting Huawei and ZTE’s 5G involvement ultimately stems not from their claimed security concerns but from certain German and European politicians’ desire to suppress China’s technological development.
Actually, even a thorough reading of the news release won’t find any concrete evidence that equipment from Chinese companies poses security risks to Germany, it just voices the allegation.
The move constitutes blatant political discrimination, severely damaging mutual trust and potentially affecting future China-EU cooperation in related fields.
The timing of Germany’s move, coinciding with the NATO summit in Washington, further raises serious concerns about the independence of its decision-making.
Germany and the European Union cannot demand fair competition while discriminating against foreign companies with unfounded claims of potential security risks. Whether Germany can handle related issues fairly is a test of its sincerity. Such actions will affect not only bilateral trade and economic cooperation but also foreign investors’ confidence in Germany. China will take necessary measures to protect the legitimate interests of its enterprises.