In a rare meeting with reporters, Ren Zhengfei, the founder and the President of the Huawei corporation denied the recent allegations by several western countries that his company has been instrumental in spying for China. As President Trump has taken a much tougher stance against China and its alleged malign activities ranging from trade to intellectual properties to spying, the United States in recent months imposed sanctions the company, banned American companies from using Huawei’s products, and imposed hefty fines.
Ren denied suggestions that Huawei aids the Chinese government in espionage, saying it has no regular contact with Beijing as his technology empire faces its biggest crisis in its three decades of existence.
Many countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand which are part of the United States’ ‘five-eye intelligence’ sharing group have also followed through the U.S. lead in taking measures against the company. Several European countries like the United Kingdom has signaled that it also might follow the U.S. lead.
Recently, Mr. Zengfei’s daughter, who also serves as the company’s finance chief, was arrested in Canada and was later released on bail at the extradition request made by the United States over the company’s alleged involvement in facilitating a violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran.
