Germany Checks 5 G Component From China, Huawei Accused

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. (photo: twitter @BMI_Bund)

JAKARTA - German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Sunday, April 16 said Germany was examining all components from China already installed in his country's 5G network. This was done when Berlin re-evaluated its relations with China's main trading partner.

"We have to protect our communication network," Faeser told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. He added that three priority checks were identifying risks, avoiding harm, and avoiding dependence.

"Especially applies to our critical infrastructure," he said.

Germany has considered banning certain components from Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE in its telecommunications network, government sources told Reuters last month, in a potentially significant step to address security concerns.

The German government is reluctant to specifically appoint Huawei, but there are concerns that such a company's links to Beijing's security services means planting them in future mobile networks could provide access to spies and even Chinese sabotage to critical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, several countries that prohibit Huawei and its technologies include the United States, Australia, Japan, Britain, New Zealand, and Taiwan. Several other countries such as Canada, Germany, and France still allow Huawei to operate, but with tighter supervision and certain exceptions.