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| Last month, Britain identified "significant technological issues" in Huawei's engineering processes that pose "new risks" for the nation's telecommunications (AFP Photo/ JOHN MACDOUGALL) |
London (AFP) - British Prime Minister Theresa May has given the go-ahead for China's Huawei to help build a 5G network, shrugging off security warnings from senior ministers and Washington, the Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.
The
country's National Security Council, which is chaired by May, agreed Tuesday to
allow the Chinese technology giant limited access to build "non-core"
infrastructure such as antennas, the report said.
The
decision was made despite concerns raised over May's approach by Home Secretary
Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson,
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and International Development Secretary
Penny Mordaunt.
Downing
Street declined to comment but Huawei welcomed the newspaper report.
"Huawei
welcomes reports that the UK government is moving towards allowing Huawei to
help build the UK's 5G network," it said in a statement.
"This
green light means that UK businesses and consumers will have access to the
fastest and most reliable networks thanks to Huawei's cutting edge technology.
"While
we await a formal government announcement, we are pleased that the UK is
continuing to take an evidence-based approach to its work and we will continue
work cooperatively with the government, and the industry."
The United
States has however banned Huawei's 5G technology from its territory and urged
allies in the so-called Five Eyes intelligence sharing collective -- which also
includes Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand -- to follow suit.
Huawei is
the leading manufacturer of equipment for next-generation 5G mobile networks
with almost instantaneous data transfer that will become the nervous system of
Europe's economy, in strategic sectors like energy, transport, banking and
health care.
The
technology titan faces pushback in some Western markets over fears Beijing
could spy on communications and gain access to critical infrastructure.
Last month,
Britain identified "significant technological issues" in Huawei's
engineering processes that pose "new risks" for the nation's
telecommunications, according to a government report.
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