New Zealand blocks Huawei over 'significant national security risks'

In this Sept. 26 file photo, a staff member uses a laptop computer at a display for 5G wireless technology from Chinese technology firm Huawei at the PT Expo in Beijing. New Zealand's international spy agency has banned mobile company Spark from using Huawei equipment in its planned 5G upgrade, saying it posed a “significant network security risk.” AP

By Jung Min-ho

New Zealand has become the latest country to block Huawei from supplying technology for a next-generation mobile data network over national security concerns.

Spark, one of New Zealand's biggest telecom carriers, said on Wednesday that the Government Communications Security Bureau rejected its proposal to use the Chinese company's equipment in its 5G mobile network towers.

The decision comes as many nations are increasingly wary of what they see as a possible Chinese cyber-espionage threat ― an accusation Huawei has denied. Australia, New Zealand's key ally, decided in August to bar the company from taking part in its 5G infrastructure rollout, as did the United States. Many countries, including Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom, are reportedly considering the same move.

A Huawei spokesperson in New Zealand said: “We will actively address any concerns and work together to find a way forward.”

Following the decision, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang expressed serious concern during a press briefing in Beijing, saying the economic cooperation between the two countries is “mutually beneficial in nature.”

“We hope New Zealand will provide a level playing field for Chinese enterprises' operations there and do something conducive for mutual trust and cooperation,” he said.

Huawei says its equipment poses no security risks, but experts say governments should be cautious about allowing the company, which allegedly has close ties to the ruling Communist Party, to build and manage the future generation of wireless technology.