Beijing hits back at US after charges lodged against tech giant Huawei

Huawei Credit: AP

Beijing has expressed resolute opposition to US criminal charges lodged against the China-based tech giant Huawei.

A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry demanded the US cease its "unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies," and drop the extradition request against Huawei's chief financial officer.

Suspicion around the companies activities for a while. UK Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said last year that he has "grave, very deep concerns," around Huawei's provision of the UK's first 5G network due to its links to Beijing's leadership and military.

What is Huawei accused of?

13 charges have been filed against the tech empire, the largest private business in China. The company is accused of misleading banks about it's business activities and violating US trade sanctions by trading with Iran. US authorities say Huawei used a Hong Kong based company to illegally trade with the Middle East state.

In a separate case, Huawei has been charged with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, a US mobile network to which it supplies mobile phones. The case relates to testing equipment for devices used by the telecom network, a US jury earlier ruled that the Chinese company had been trying to misappropriate the equipment for its own benefit.

Huawei's CFO was arrested in December, igniting a three-way diplomatic spat. Credit: AP

What has been the result of the investigation into Huawei?

Huawei's business dealings have set off a diplomatic spat involving three nations. Ties between the US and Canada have been threatened by the spat with the Chinese company.

Diplomatic doors began to close after Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei, was arrested by Canadian police on a US arrest warrant whilst changing planes in Vancouver.

A Canadian man was sentenced to death, a move many said was China retaliating against Canada. Credit: AP

She could now be extradited to the United States where she faces fraud charges.

China hit back at the arrest by sentencing a Canadian national, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, to death for drug smuggling at a retrial.

President Donald Trump said he would get involved in the Huawei case if it would help produce a trade agreement with China, and said in December that he would "intervene if I thought it was necessary".