‘Telling companies to spy is not how China behaves’

BEIJING (AP) — China’s No. 2 leader yesterday denied Beijing tells its companies to spy abroad, refuting US warnings that Chinese technology suppliers might be a security risk.

Premier Li Keqiang’s comment at a news conference was the communist government’s highest-level rejection of accusations Chinese companies might spy on foreign customers.

Asked whether Beijing told Chinese companies to spy, Li said, “Let me tell you explicitly that this is not consistent with Chinese law. This is not how China behaves. We did not do that and will not do that in the future.”

The United States and some other governments have imposed curbs on use of technology from Chinese vendors, including Huawei Technologies Ltd. as possible security risks. Huawei, the biggest global maker of network gear for phone and Internet companies, has denied accusations it facilitates Chinese spying.

Huawei’s founder Ren Zhengfei told reporters this year he would reject government requests to disclose confidential information about foreign customers.

Ren also said his daughter, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd’s Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou had been looking for another job when she was arrested in Canada last December on a US warrant.

Ren also told Canada’s CTV that the two had become closer since she was detained in Vancouver on Dec. 1 last year.

The United States wants Meng to be extradited to face charges that she engaged in bank and wire fraud in violation of American sanctions against Iran. She denies wrongdoing.

“One month before that arrest, she wanted to resign and find a job elsewhere. She was not happy working here but after being arrested this matter improved our relationship and now she understands how difficult life can be,” Ren told CTV.