Is China spying on us through broadband? Osborne welcomes internet giant Huawei's £125m investment in Britain despite security fears

  • Chancellor welcomes Huawei's decision to build £125million UK base
  • But the firm has been accused by MPs of jeopardising internet security
  • U.S. Congress recommended that American firms should boycott Huawei
  • Company denies links to Chinese government and military

By Jason Groves

PUBLISHED: 07:52 EST, 16 October 2013 | UPDATED: 19:54 EST, 16 October 2013


George Osborne yesterday welcomed investment in the UK by a controversial Chinese internet giant, despite warnings it could be spying on the West.

Speaking during a visit to China, the Chancellor brushed aside the security concerns over Huawei that have seen its operations limited or banned in the US, Australia and India.

Welcoming plans by the firm to build a £125 million research and development centre in Britain, Mr Osborne said: ‘There are some Western governments that have blocked Huawei from making investments. Not Britain. Quite the opposite.’

Welcome: George Osborne, pictured with Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei, today praised the expansion of Chinese tech firms despite cyber-security fears

Welcome: George Osborne, pictured with Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei, today praised the expansion of Chinese tech firms despite cyber-security fears

Trip: The Chancellor visited Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen as part of an official tour of China

Trip: The Chancellor visited Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen as part of an official tour of China

Earlier this year MPs warned that Huawei could be monitoring British internet users via the infrastructure it provides to BT and O2.

A Commons’ security committee warned that the Chinese government might be able to ‘intercept covertly or disrupt traffic passing through Huawei-supplied networks’.

 

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And last year a US Congressional committee called for American companies not to do business with the firm because it posed a threat to national security.

Huawei, which was founded by a former officer in the People’s Liberation Army, has long been accused of close links with the Chinese military and government.

It operates a cyber-security centre in Oxfordshire to check its equipment for security threats – but it is staffed by its own employees.

Ties: Huawei has announced that it will invest an additional £125million in Britain

Ties: Huawei has announced that it will invest an additional £125million in Britain

Fears: Huawei has been accused of helping China spy on internet traffic via joint ventures in the West

Fears: Huawei has been accused of helping China spy on internet traffic via joint ventures in the West

MPs have called for GCHQ to take over the centre, which is now being investigated. Last year Major General Jonathan Shaw, a former cyber-security expert at the Ministry of Defence, said that Britain was ‘dealing with the devil’ in allowing Huawei access to its electronic infrastructure.

A Treasury source insisted the Government was happy with Huawei’s operations in the UK, as were other countries such as Germany and Sweden. The source said the firm met ‘clear and stringent security rules’.

During a visit to the firm’s headquarters in Shenzhen, Mr Osborne described it as a ‘great hi-tech company’. He praised the ‘huge opportunity’ presented by the rise of Chinese technology firms, pointing to gaming company Rekoo’s decision to open an office in London’s Tech City.

Companion: Boris Johnson is also in China; he is pictured looking at the Shanghai skyline today

Companion: Boris Johnson is also in China; he is pictured looking at the Shanghai skyline today

‘Huawei and Rekoo’s investment into the UK is a great testament to Britain’s tech industry and I am here to make sure that relationship goes from strength to strength,’ he said.

Huawei has repeatedly denied engaging in espionage and describes itself as a ‘globally trusted’.

Chief executive Ren Zhengfei said the firm was attracted by the ‘open and free-trade economy’ in the UK, which has ‘some of the best hi-tech professionals in the world’.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is also on a trade mission to China, yesterday said British children should be taught Mandarin in schools.

The Tory, who is studying the language, said it would ensure children grew up with an understanding of the country’s importance.

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Never mind China, currently on the DM site there are twelve companies and three social networks, blocked, but attempting to track me on their site and they do the same to you!

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The Australian government blicked huawei from gettkng near any infrastructure due to the risk. there are ties beteeen huawei and chinese government.

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I can only say that this guy is a donkey. He hasn't got a clue. Can we have someone more attractive and without that annoying public school accent? I always see this idiot in shorts as the one who never gets chosen.....

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He was only elected because he was good on Have I Got News For You.

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And he's another one who opens his mouth without engaging his brain.

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Huawei is also one of the three outsourcing companies that are used by the mobile operator 3 so they can snoop as much as they like

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how many people in the UK know that UK power networks is actually a front for a Li Ka-Shing Chinese Company Cheung Kong Infrastructure (CKI), Hongkong Electric, which is 40%-owned by CKI, and the Li Ka-Shing Foundation.controls all of the UK South East Electricity Supply So I am not surprised

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Check this legitimate ways to make money from home, working on your own time and being your own boss... Join the many successful people who have already used the system. Only reliable internet connection needed, no prior experience neccessary, that's why where are here. Start here.... JOBS81.COM

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well the USA is already spying on us, why not let China in on the action!

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I use Huawei everyday. They can spy on me. I never do anything wrong.

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When I think about it. I don't want them spying on my bank account log in, and things like forum passwords.

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It's not a case or wrong doing that they are tracking - you are naive.

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George would sell his own grandma for a profit - DARREN DAY, london, United Kingdom, (null) He'd sell his own father, if he could find out who his dad was.

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