Chinese Government 'Firmly' Opposes US Actions to 'Oppress' Huawei

The Chinese government “firmly” opposes the U.S. using “its national power to oppress” Chinese telecom equipment manufacturer Huawei “based on no evidence at all,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said during a Wednesday news conference. Huawei has been countering arguments it poses a threat to the security of the U.S.'s telecom infrastructure, in recent days claiming U.S. officials attempted to recruit its employees to provide internal information about the company. U.S. lawmakers are also eyeing legislation to prevent President Donald Trump's administration from lifting Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security restrictions on Huawei (see 1907220053). “Such an act is disgraceful and immoral, and it runs counter to the principle of market economy, for which the [U.S.] has been a self-claimed champion,” Geng said, according to a transcript from China's U.S. embassy. “We urge the [U.S.] to stop abusing the concept of national security, to cease its smear campaign against China and oppression against Chinese companies, and to provide a level playing field and a non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies to operate normally” in the U.S.