Via The Telegraph:
The Chinese tech giant Huawei was compared to the company that produced the lethal gas for Nazi extermination camps, as one of its executives was probed by MPs.
John Suffolk, the company’s Global Cyber Security and Privacy Officer, left MP’s frustrated as he was accused of refusing to answer “simple questions” when he appeared before the Science and Technology Select Committee Monday.
He repeatedly answered queries about Huawei’s links to the Chinese state and alleged human rights abuses by saying the company worked within the laws of the countries it operated in.
Following a tense exchange, Labour MP Graham Stringer asked: “Do you think when we come to write our report it would be fair to compare your company with IG Farben who manufactured Zyklon B and sold it to the German government during the Second World War?”
Mr Suffolk replied: “I would paint a different picture. I would say if you are asking us should we ignore the law I am sure you would say no you should not ignore the law.”
…Mr Suffolk was also questioned about Huawei’s role creating surveillance equipment for Xinjiang province, where the Chinese state has been accused of orchestrating a brutal campaign of repression against the Muslim Uighur population.
The executive said that the company’s supply of equipment to the province was conducted through a “third party”.
This prompted a scathing response from the committee’s chair, Norman Lamb, who said: “Essentially, what you are saying is as long as we comply with the law that is fine – you are amoral.
“You have no interest in what’s happening, like with the 1.5 million Chinese people who have been incarcerated in Xinjiang province. You don’t care.”
Good news for Five Eyes, at the SMH:
The Science and Technology committee is examining UK telecommunications infrastructure amid a row within the governing conservative party as to whether or not the Chinese company should be allowed to supply parts for Britain’s 5G network.
A preliminary decision taken in the National Security Council to approve Huawei involvement was leaked, leading to the sacking of the then defence secretary Gavin Williamson who is now co-chairing Boris Johnson’s leadership campaign.
Williamson favoured Britain following Australia and the United States’ lead in banning the company from the rollout but denies divulging classified material.
Two of Johnson’s backers, Williamson’s predecessor Sir Michael Fallon and the prominent Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg have both told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that the decision should now be made by the new prime minister, and not Theresa May who on Friday stepped down as leader of the Conservative party after losing the support of her MPs, primarily over her handling of Brexit.
Phew.
Meanwhile, Aussie pollies are finding new and wondrous ways to twist language in our defense of the indefensible, via the ABC:
Former deputy prime minister and Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has labelled China a “benevolent tyranny”, in response to the arrival in Sydney Harbour of three of the Asian superpower’s warships last week.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy ships cruised into the harbour last Monday, docking at Garden Island for a four-day stopover.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed suggestions it was a “surprise” visit, saying it had been planned for some time after an earlier visit by Australian ships to China.
It was later revealed New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian did not know the warships were due to arrive in her state.
Mr Joyce said Australia needed to respond to the rise of China as an economic and military superpower with strength, rather than simply rolling over and allowing Beijing to act without criticism.
“We can see the issues happening in Hong Kong as we speak,” he told Channel Seven.
“They are not a democracy, they’re basically a benevolent tyranny.
“I think Australia obviously has to recognise the economic strength and trade with them, but we want to trade with them as a partner, not as a servant.”
Late last week former minister Concetta Fierravanti-Wells launched an extraordinary spray against Mr Morrison and the Government in The Australian newspaper for allowing the warships to arrive on the eve of the Tiananmen Square massacre, describing it as insensitive and as evidence Beijing could boss Canberra around.
“I think waking up and going for a walk around The Domain and seeing three Chinese warships there could’ve been a bit startling,” Mr Joyce joked.
Former Defence Department secretary Dennis Richardson also argued the visit could have been better handled, but rejected suggestions it should not have been allowed to occur.
“I’m not quite sure what happened there; I suspect there are elements of simply muck-up,” he told ABC RN.
“But having said that, we ought to be welcoming visits by Chinese naval vessels.
“There’s a touch of paranoia in some of the commentary at the moment in respect of China.”
No, there isn’t. We’re a decade late to the party and still way behind the curve in dealing with it.
