BERLIN (AP) 鈥 Germany will bar the use of critical components made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in core parts of the country's 5G networks in two steps starting in 2026, the nation's top security official said Thursday.
Germany, which has Europe's biggest economy, has long mulled what to do about components made by Chinese suppliers in its new-generation cellphone networks.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said critical components from Huawei and ZTE will be barred from 5G core networks by the end of 2026, while 鈥渃ritical management systems鈥 from the two manufacturers in 5G access and transport networks must be replaced by the end of 2029.
The decision follows negotiations in recent weeks with Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and Telefonica, which operate Germany's 5G networks, and agreements will be signed with all three companies, the Interior Ministry said.
鈥淲e have examined the risks from critical components manufactured by Huawei and ZTE in German 5G cellphone networks very carefully,鈥 Faeser said as she announced the 鈥渃lear and strict agreement鈥 with German operators.
鈥淲ith this, we are protecting the central nervous systems of Germany as a business location 鈥 and we are protecting the communication of citizens, companies and the state,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e must reduce security risks and, unlike in the past, avoid one-sided dependencies.鈥
Today's threats underline the significance of secure telecommunications infrastructure, particularly 鈥渨ith a view to dangers from sabotage and espionage,鈥 Faeser said.
鈥淭here is no specific evidence or scenario that Huawei鈥檚 technology has cyber security risks,鈥 the company said late Thursday in a statement, adding that it "will continue to promote the improvement and progress of cyber security, and promote the construction of mobile networks and digitalization in Germany.鈥
The United States in recent years successfully pushed European allies including and to ban or restrict Huawei equipment in their phone networks over fears Beijing could use it for cybersnooping or sabotaging critical communications infrastructure 鈥 allegations Huawei has denied repeatedly. Japan, , and have taken similar action.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government last year for relations with China that refers to a 鈥渟ystemic rivalry鈥 with the Asian power and a need to reduce risks of economic dependency, but highlights Berlin鈥檚 desire to work with Beijing on challenges such as climate change and maintain trade ties. The strategy drew .
Scholz in April on his second trip to the country since he took office at the end of 2021.
Asked about Thursday's expected announcement at a daily briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that Huawei and other Chinese companies have been building high-quality infrastructure for Europe and creating many jobs, and 鈥渢here is no evidence that they endanger the national security of European countries.鈥
鈥淧oliticizing economic, trade, and sci-tech issues will only undermine normal technical exchanges and cooperation and is not in the interest of any party,鈥 he said.
Mutual suspicion between Western countries and China has mounted since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
On Wednesday, NATO allies including Germany a 鈥渄ecisive enabler鈥 of and expressed concerns over Beijing鈥檚 nuclear arsenal and its capabilities in space. by accusing NATO of seeking security at the expense of others and told the alliance not to bring the same 鈥渃haos鈥 to Asia.
