Chinese envoy urges Canada to approve Huawei for 5G, says concerns are U.S. ploy
China's ambassador to Canada is calling on the federal government to ignore "invented" warnings from the United States about Huawei and allow the Chinese telecom giant's participation in this country's 5G networks.
Ambassador Cong Peiwu made the comments during a wide-ranging discussion on Tuesday in which he also warned Canada about any official contacts with Taiwan and blasted the U.S. for a planned diplomatic boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympics.
The discussion hosted by the Centre for International Governance Innovation comes as the Liberal government appears poised to finally decide whether Huawei will be allowed to participate in Canada's AI-powered, next-generation 5G internet network.
Canada is the only member of the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance -- whose membership includes the U.S., Britain, Australia and New Zealand -- that has yet to announce a decision despite years of study and security reviews.
The other four countries have all banned or restricted Huawei's involvement in their own networks, citing concerns that allowing the company's equipment in their upgraded data networks could make them more vulnerable to Chinese spying.
Cong shot back against such concerns during a discussion hosted by the Waterloo, Ont.-based CIGI think tank, describing American warnings about Huawei as a "ploy" intended to hurt Huawei and other Chinese companies.
Various reports have emerged over the years about concerns with Huawei equipment, including in Europe and Africa, but the ambassador maintained there is no "concrete evidence" Huawei is a security threat.
"It is invented by the United States," Cong said. "And the main purpose for that is to crack down on Huawei."
Cong went on to accuse the U.S. itself of being the "biggest threat" when it comes to spying, including of its own allies. Washington has been repeatedly accused over the years of spying on top European politicians, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"It is the United States who have been doing these kinds of things over the past decades," he said. "Even monitoring its allies, the leaders of its allies. So that is the biggest threat to the world."
The Canadian government delayed its decision on Huawei because China had until recently imprisoned two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, in what was widely seen as retaliation for Canada's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.
But a decision is now expected after the two Michaels were released in September after more than 1,000 days in Chinese prison. Their release came after American authorities abandoned their prosecution of Meng on fraud allegations.
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne signalled the government may reject Huawei as a 5G provider when he told The Canadian Press last month the government only wants to deal with "trusted partners" in future artificial intelligence ventures.
Fifth-generation internet -- or 5G -- will rely on artificially intelligent cloud-based computing that is expected to transform everyday life, enabling self-driving cars and automated medical care, including surgery, among other things.
Cong, insisted it is a private company and not an arm of the Chinese government as some have alleged, said he hopes Canada will "make the judgment on its own and not be listening to the opinion from the United States."
He added that the decision on Huawei should be based on business and not national security, and warned rejecting Huawei could hurt Canada's standing among foreign investors as a welcoming business environment.
While Huawei dominated part of the discussion about the China-Canada relationship, Cong also touched on another increasingly sensitive topic by warning Canadian officials against any move toward Taiwan.
The Chinese government considers the island democracy to be a rogue province and there have been growing concerns in recent weeks and months that Beijing will launch an invasion that would draw in the U.S. and its allies.
Canada has long subscribed to what is known as the One China Policy, which states there is only one Chinese government, does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country and thus does not involve official diplomatic ties with Taipei.
Cong in his remarks said his government hopes Canada "will continue to honour the One China principle, and make sure that you are not be engaged in any official contacts with Taiwan."
He also slammed the U.S. government's announcement of a "diplomatic boycott" of February's Winter Olympics in Beijing over China's human rights records, including its treatment of Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities.
The ambassador repeatedly described allegations China is engaged in a genocide of Uighurs in Xinjiang province as "the lie of the century," and accused the U.S. of politicizing sports with its plan not to send a delegation to the Olympics.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 7, 2021.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.
Local Spotlight
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada Goose vs. fox fight on video
Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada Goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
Beyond books: Halifax libraries lends instruments, sports equipment, memory kits and more
Public libraries in Atlantic Canada are now lending a broader range of items.
'A special bird': The unbreakable bond between purple martins and humans
Flashes of purple darting across the sky mixed with the serenading sound of songs will be noticed more with spring in full force in Manitoba.
7-year-old Pokémon prodigy heading to Hawaii for world championship tournament
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
From DVDs to rehearsals: Halifax theatre company transforms Video Difference building into arts hub
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
'Another pair of eyes watching over me:' How a B.C. woman's service dog saved her from drowning
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.
Starbucks fan on decades-long journey to visit every store in the world
A Starbucks fan — whose name is Winter — is visiting Canada on a purposeful journey that began with a random idea at one of the coffee chain's stores in Texas.
'Sacred work': Sask. First Nation learning how to conduct its own underground searches
Members of Piapot First Nation, students from the University of Winnipeg and various other professionals are learning new techniques that will hopefully be used for ground searches of potential unmarked grave sites in the future.