【Wen/Observer Net, Ruan Jiaqi】
The EU is about to stir up trouble again. According to a report by the Financial Times on January 17, the EU is planning to ban Chinese suppliers from participating in the EU's critical infrastructure.
The report cited EU officials who said that Brussels plans to propose gradually phasing out Chinese-made equipment from the EU's critical infrastructure, and prohibit companies such as Huawei and ZTE from participating in the construction and operation of EU telecommunications networks, solar systems, and security scanning devices. Reuters reported that the European Commission, China's Ministry of Commerce, Huawei, and ZTE have not yet responded to this issue.
This move is an upgrade of the EU's policy on so-called "high-risk suppliers." According to insiders, the EU's Cybersecurity Proposal, which will be submitted next Tuesday, aims to upgrade the previous voluntary mechanism that restricts or excludes so-called "high-risk" suppliers from the network into a mandatory rule that all EU member states must follow.
In 2020, the EU passed the so-called "5G Cybersecurity Toolbox," falsely accusing Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE as communication equipment suppliers with so-called "high national security risks." For many years, countries such as Germany and Sweden blindly followed the hype and banned the use of equipment from Chinese suppliers; while Spain and Greece still allowed the installation of related equipment in their national networks.
This inconsistency in internal implementation has been exaggerated by EU hawks against China as "a significant security risk." The draft of the Cybersecurity Act also took the opportunity to hype, claiming that "fragmented national solutions are insufficient to establish a trust system and coordination mechanism across the entire market."
Huawei sign on the streets of Madrid, Spain
According to the aforementioned EU officials, the specific timetable for the removal of equipment will depend on the EU's assessment of the so-called risks and the characteristics of the supplier's industry, as well as considering cost factors and the availability of alternative suppliers.
But the practical difficulties are evident: for example, in the solar energy industry, more than 90% of solar panels installed in the EU are made in China. Related EU lobbying groups such as the European Solar Association may also oppose the proposal.
Some industry officials also pointed out that the EU hopes to reduce its reliance on both Chinese and American suppliers at the same time, but currently lacks feasible alternatives. Telecommunications operators have already issued clear warnings that direct bans could increase consumer terminal prices.
According to the report, after the European Commission formally submits the proposal, the draft will need to be discussed with the European Parliament and member states. Since the jurisdiction over national security matters belongs to each member state, the timetable for the removal is likely to face opposition from some European countries.
Regarding the EU's "trickery," China has repeatedly stated seriously that the European Commission claims that Chinese communication companies such as Huawei and ZTE pose security risks, but has provided no evidence. This is a typical case of presumption of guilt, and China firmly opposes it. The fact is that Huawei and ZTE, Chinese communication companies, have operated in Europe for many years. They have never harmed European national security, and have effectively promoted the development of the European telecommunications sector, creating considerable economic and social effects.
As the trade and political relations between the EU and China continue to tense, the EU has increasingly focused on the so-called "risks" brought by Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturers. Recently, there has been a resurgence of hype about Huawei and ZTE in Europe.
There were reports in November 2025 that the European Commission was exploring various means to force member states to remove Huawei and ZTE equipment from telecommunications networks, even considering pressuring non-EU countries, such as stopping funding for projects that use Huawei equipment.
According to insiders, the European Commission's Executive Vice President for Technology Sovereignty, Hanna Viikoinen, wants to upgrade the 2020 recommendation to ban "high-risk suppliers" into a legally binding mandatory regulation.
While countries are accelerating the deployment of the most advanced fiber optic cables to expand high-speed internet coverage, Viikoinen is also studying ways to limit the access of Chinese equipment suppliers to fixed networks.
Although the decision-making power over telecommunications infrastructure belongs to the governments of each member state, Viikoinen's proposal would force member states to follow the Commission's security guidelines. If this suggestion becomes a legally binding clause, member states that do not comply may face infringement lawsuits and economic penalties.
However, analysts believe that this proposal faces great difficulties in implementation. Member states have long refused to hand over decision-making power regarding Huawei-related issues to the European Commission, and banning specific suppliers may trigger political struggles; moreover, Huawei's technology is more cost-effective than Western counterparts, and telecom operators will strongly oppose such restrictions. According to Reuters, some telecom operators in large markets such as Spain and Germany had previously resisted implementing such measures.
Meanwhile, the malicious intent of some US-EU forces to fabricate "security risks" has been increasingly recognized by more countries, as it violates the principles of the market economy.
Last July, Spain signed a contract worth 1.23 million euros with Huawei despite pressure from the US and EU. Even though Viikoinen vigorously criticized this transaction, claiming it could lead to so-called "foreign interference and security dependence risks," Spain and Huawei strongly refuted it. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior stated in a statement that the contract "poses no security risks and meets the safety level required by the national security framework."
Regarding the European Commission's attempt to force member states to gradually exclude Huawei and ZTE equipment, at the regular press conference held on November 11, 2025, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that Chinese companies have long operated in Europe in accordance with the law, providing high-quality products and services to the EU, and making positive contributions to local economic and social development and employment. Without legal basis and factual evidence, using administrative measures to forcibly restrict or prohibit enterprises from participating in the market seriously violates the principles of market rules and fair competition.
Lin Jian pointed out that the facts show that forcing the removal of Chinese telecommunications companies' high-quality and safe equipment not only delays their own technological development process but also causes massive economic losses. Generalizing economic and trade issues into security and political issues will hinder technological progress and economic development, harming others without benefiting oneself. We urge the EU to provide Chinese enterprises with a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment and avoid undermining the confidence of enterprises investing in Europe.
This article is exclusive to Observer Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7596296528164094514/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.