New Zealand holding talks on Huawei security fears: PM
New Zealand is in talks to minimise the security risks posed by using Huawei equipment in 5G infrastructure, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday - raising the prospect of compromise on an issue straining Wellington-Beijing relations.
New Zealand's intelligence agency last November barred the country's biggest telco Spark from using Huawei equipment in its planned 5G network, citing "significant security risks".
Beijing expressed "deep concern" over the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) action against the Chinese telecoms giant, saying firms should compete on a level playing field.
It was part of a wave of bans on Huawei in a growing number of countries over fears the company's equipment could act as an espionage backdoor for China, which Beijing labels "groundless".
Ardern said talks were under way between GCSB and Spark to see if the fears about Huawei's involvement could be addressed.
"There has been no final decision... it is now currently with Spark to ...