Huawei founder says Huawei CFO arrest was politically motivated: BBC

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Huawei founder says Huawei CFO arrest was politically motivated: BBC

 

FILE PHOTO: Huawei CEO and founder Ren Zhengfei walks inside Huawei's headquarters in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China October 16, 2013. REUTERS/Bobby Yip/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei said on Monday that the arrest of his daughter, Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, was politically motivated.

 

"Firstly, I object to what the U.S. has done. This kind of politically motivated act is not acceptable," Ren told the BBC in an interview.

Canada arrested Meng on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States. Meng was charged with bank and wire fraud to violate American sanctions against Iran.

 

The U.S. Justice Department denied the charges were politically motivated. “The Justice Department’s criminal case against Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is based solely on the evidence and the law. The Department pursues cases free of any political interference and follows the evidence and rule of law in pursuing criminal charges,” spokeswoman Nicole Navas said in an email to Reuters.

 

Huawei, along with another Chinese network equipment company, ZTE Corp, has been accused by the United States of working at the behest of the Chinese government. The United States has said their equipment could be used to spy on Americans. Huawei has repeatedly denied the claims.

 

Commenting on the spying concerns, the Huawei founder reiterated that the company will "never undertake" any spying activities.

 

Huawei, the world's biggest producer of telecoms equipment, faces intense scrutiny in the West over its relationship with the Chinese government and allegations of enabling state espionage, with the United States calling for its allies not to use its technology.

 

Ren said the company could downsize to weather such attempts by the United States.

 

"The world cannot leave us because we are more advanced. Even if they (U.S.) persuade more countries not to use us temporarily, we can always scale things down a bit", he added.

 

In comments on a potential ban in the UK, Ren said it would not make the company withdraw its UK investments, adding that it will shift its investments to the UK from the United States if U.S. actions against Huawei continue.

 

"We will invest even more in the UK. Because if the U.S. doesn't trust us, then we will shift our investment from the U.S. to the UK on an even bigger scale," Ken told the BBC.

 

Reuters reported earlier on Monday that British security officials do not support a full ban of Huawei from national telecoms networks despite U.S. allegations against the Chinese firm.

 

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Dan Grebler)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-19

[car720]

Firstly the German intelligence people couldn't fault them and now the British seem to be warming to them.

I can smell cheese.

[IAMHERE]

My advice is to not do or say anything around your Chinese Electronics you don't want known to others.

[Prissana Pescud]

31 minutes ago, IAMHERE said:

My advice is to not do or say anything around your Chinese Electronics you don't want known to others.

Fair enough comment.

But most of the sales are to poor Asians (who have no politics, money, information or secrets that China would want)

Huawei would need a massive computer system to screen out all of the trash in order to find a tiny gem surely?

[Skeptic7]

I use Huawei (second one now. gave the first to a friend in need) and LOVE them. Excellent smartphone with full features at a great price. The rest of you...just keep overpaying for expensive Apple products as my AAPL stock needs a boost! 

[exparte]

I would suggest Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei; get one a plane and go protest to the USA in person. LOL.

[Kasset Tak]

Huawei is the largest hardware/net producer in the world and they have more 5G patents than all American companies involved in 5G combined... of course US are scared of them... it's no longer Silicon Valley (and CIA, NSA etc) who are the leaders of the digital future! 

[stevenl]

Of course it is politically motivated, Trump even admitted that by indicating that she could be used in China negotiations.

[Stargeezr]

Yes and Canada is the USA lap dog, with good hair, even..  Sad,  really

Geezer

[felicialee]

After this incident, my impression of Canada was very poor.
This time, the United States is trying to suppress Huawei for personal interests.
Huawei itself is a great global company and should be treated fairly by all countries.

[felicialee]

On 2/20/2019 at 9:31 PM, Stargrazer9889 said:

Yes and Canada is the USA lap dog, with good hair, even..  Sad,  really

Geezer

So agree with you!!!

[the guest]

Having spent many years in China, I can tell you now that all companies are answerable to the PRC. So it's conceivable that if the Government instructed Huawei to implement something in their system, they would have no choice but to comply. 

 

I don't trust the Chinese, they are devious and will do anything for money and power. 

[pegman]

The cabinet minister responsible has been drummed out of government. She had been appointed for gender & ethnic equality reasons which was very stupid. Yestèrday she declared she would run again as an independent. When she loses she will never be heard from again. Unfortunately it might be too late to fix this. Hopefully a judge saves the day and releases this businesswoman.