Altmaier was defending Germany's decision not to ban Huawei from participation in its 5G network as requested by Washington, which accuses the firm of being a tool of China's electronic espionage. During a debate on Huawei on Sunday, Altmaier referred to the allegations that began emerging in 2013 of US spying on German soil. Altmaier also pointed out that the US required its own telecoms companies to provide information "that is necessary in the fight against terrorism". "These claims are likewise an insult to the millions of Chinese citizens denied basic freedoms and unjustly imprisoned by the CCP," he added. But wary of a potential falling-out with China – Germany's biggest trade partner – Berlin has said only that there would be "high standards" for security in the new network.

Source: The Local November 25, 2019 16:41 UTC