By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
CHINA’S embassy in Nassau has accused the United States of “abusing” its power through a decision that prohibits American embassies from doing business with companies that use equipment manufactured by some Chinese manufacturers.
The US Federal Communications Commission on June 30 designated several Chinese telecommunication firms as national security threats, cutting off companies like Huawei and ZTE from billions of dollars in US subsidies because of their close association with the Chinese Communist Party.
Companies in the Bahamas that provide services to the US Embassy in Nassau are now required to disclose their manufacturers.
The Tribune recently received a letter from the US Embassy requesting it disclose equipment manufacturer information.
The implications of the US move in The Bahamas are unclear. Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and other local businesses have declined to comment on the matter.
Yin Haigang, the counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, said yesterday “China deplores and firmly opposes the US practice of taking discriminatory and unfair measures on certain Chinese companies based on its domestic legislation. For a period of time, the US has abused its state power and used every possible means to smear and oppress certain Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE. Meanwhile, the US has been pressuring other countries to exclude Huawei and other Chinese high-tech companies.”
He added: “The allegations about the Chinese companies have no factual basis at all. The US claims that Huawei threatens US national security. But let’s take a look at the facts. Over the past 30 years, Huawei has developed over 1,500 networks in more than 170 countries and regions, having 228 Fortune 500 companies as clients and serving more than three billion people all over the world. Not a single cybersecurity incident like those revealed by Edward Snowden or WikiLeaks has there been. Not a single tapping or surveillance operation like PRISM, Equation Group or ECHELON has there been. And not a single country has produced evidence of any backdoors in Huawei products.”
The New York Times reported in June that “American officials have pushed countries around the world not to use Huawei’s networking equipment in their next-generation, or 5G, wireless networks.”
The Chinese counsellor said: “Some American politicians have been incessantly pressuring other countries, making uninvited comments about their 5G development and openly coercing them into following its own will. This is hegemony in full display. The real reason behind the animosity of the US towards Chinese companies has nothing to do with national security or democracy, freedoms or fairness. It’s just because they are Chinese companies and also front runners in their lines of business.
“We urge the US to abandon its Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, stop politicising trade issues and oppressing Chinese companies. We hope all countries will commit to uphold a fair, just, open and non-discriminatory business environment and reject nationality discrimination in global scientific and trade cooperation as firmly as they reject racism.”
Comments
Porcupine 4 years, 2 months ago
Well, just because we don't know about abuses of privacy and spying doesn't mean they don't occur. With that said, the Chinese embassy in Nassau does make some valid points.
tribanon 4 years, 2 months ago
Get real ! You obviously know little about the CCP and its goal to dominate every nation on this planet. Suggest you learn more about their human rights abuses. The CCP's abuses of its own people in China who dare stand up to or speak out against the communist party are well documented. Spending time in our own Fox Hill prison would be preferable to many of the secret prison camps they run. And you can just imagine how the sinister and ruthless CCP would treat foreign dissidents in smaller defenseless countries like ours if they believed for a moment they could get away with it. We made a terrible mistake when we gave Taiwan the boot and invited the CCP to our shores.
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 2 months ago
The US seems to wanna dominate the planet too. They are both bad actors. Period...
happyfly 4 years, 2 months ago
The difference is that US domination includes sharing the planet with everyone else. I'm quite sure the Communist Chinese don't intend to share at all
Cobalt 4 years, 2 months ago
Ummm not really. If that were so, the U.S. would have invested more in the Bahamas than China. The U.S. doesn’t have much interest in any black owned nation. They only watch the Bahamas to prevent drug and human trafficking. Other than that, they couldn’t care less about us.
mrsmith 4 years, 2 months ago
You missed one thing. They want our land.
Cobalt 4 years, 2 months ago
Agreed
Linlo 4 years, 2 months ago
It’s their right to make that choice. It is as simple as that. It is the right of the Chinese Embassy not to use any U.S. manufactured products (if they even do).
bogart 4 years, 2 months ago
Goodness grief..!!! How can the Chinese Diplomat complain on the "US discriminatory and unfair measures" for protection of US interests when China from across the planet has for its own interests of China political State been currupting and creating economic dependence of Caribbean nations with massive lowest of the ultra low interest loans without checks and controls of Caribbean Capitalist laissez faire market system and huge white elephant gifts as whims of some Caribbean leader ego. Incredible such massive economic intrusions by Political Communist State China into Capital laissez markets of Caribbean nations, on doorstep of the US which has centuries old inextribable mutual owerwhelming ties to Caribbean nations.
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 2 months ago
Honestly. I don't know who's worse, China or the US. They're both aholes...
bogart 4 years, 2 months ago
I know Proud your views on China and the US, and I know that many have been alarmed from what we sees on TV and from other media. Difference is on China one sees only the undemocratic, no freedoms of press, speech etc and the Communist party wants top world position. And agreements of Communist State to co exist with others evidenced by Hong Kong experiencing otherwise. Now the US there is democratic entities and mechanisms that can make changes to correct and have more freedoms etc for better. Can you imagine where if in China system we would all be if we criticize?? In a blink of eye we will be in jail in China..!!
newcitizen 4 years, 2 months ago
People want to compare the two without realizing just how bad one is. There are plenty of things about the US to complain about, but there are also tons of good things. I can't think of any good things from the Chinese system, only issues.
happyfly 4 years, 2 months ago
Exactly - Proudloud... you would be arrested and have bamboo strips shoved underneath your fingernails for posting anything unfavorable about the government in Communist China. The fact that a bunch of ratbags can run around America burning their own flags (unfortunately) is a testament to freedom that people in China can only fantasize about. And that's their own people. If the government hands over any more of our sovereignty away to the guys for cheap loans, they will be coming for us ratbags next
Dawes 4 years, 2 months ago
Then you don't know much
JohnQ 4 years, 2 months ago
Good ole Porcupine and Proudloud, they both advocate against the US. Yet they frequent it's shores, like what it has to offer and love the American dollar. Could be that they are just jealous haters. LOL!!
joeblow 4 years, 2 months ago
There is no country on earth more abusive and anti human rights than China! What a grossly hypocritical people!!
TalRussell 4 years, 2 months ago
Should there be cause rethink if there just might be an economic power play behind Baha Mar's push forward undetermined 2021 date delay to proceed with the October 2020 reopening Cable Beach Resort? A nod of Once for Yeah, Twice for No?
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