Foreign Minister Hits Out At Huawei Critics

The foreign minister lashed out on Monday at what he called "abnormal, immoral" attacks on Huawei amid growing concern, led by the US, that the telecom giant poses a security risk to the West.

Wang Yi demanded a "fair and just competition environment" for Chinese firms as he met EU foreign ministers and officials for talks in Brussels.

His call comes as Washington steps up pressure on allies, particularly in Europe, to shut Huawei out of tenders for fast fifth-generation, or 5G, telecom networks, because of the firm's ties to Beijing.

"China hopes all countries will create a fair and just competition environment for companies of all countries," Wang told reporters before joining a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

"What we oppose is groundless accusations out of political purposes and attempts to bring down a foreign company. We think such practices are abnormal, immoral and have no support from other countries."

Wang also hit back at a new EU policy document published last week outlining a shift to more assertive relations with Beijing.

The 10-point plan called for more balanced ties, warning that China was a "rival" to the bloc as well as its biggest trading partner.

In response Wang insisted China and the EU were "comprehensive strategic partners" and laid out his own 10-point plan for greater cooperation. (AFP)