Huawei Under US Lens, Secretary Mike Pompeo Warns Of Technological Misuse To Further Malafide Chinese Ambitions

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cautioned that the Chinese telecom equipment firm Huawei represents a national security risk to the United States due to its proximity to the authoritarian Chinese government and that countries should be cautious in using its products within their territory, reports Press Trust of India (PTI).

“Huawei is owned by the state of China and has deep connections to their intelligence service. That should send off flares for everybody who understands what the Chinese military and Chinese intelligence services do. We have to take that threat seriously," Pompeo said.

Suspicion of Huawei Grows

Recently, the Chinese company in the US was charged with stealing trade secrets from its US partner. Many have also alleged that Huawei’s telecom equipment is used by the Chinese state to spy on other nations’ citizens.

Countries like the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, have already banned Huawei’s network infrastructure products and many other European nations have upped the scrutiny of its equipment.

"There's a real risk, though, that the Chinese will use this for purposes that aren't commercial, that aren't for private gain, but rather for the state's benefit. And it's a risk I think these countries ought to very, very carefully consider before they move forward," Pompeo added.