China slams the US, says Meng was arrested to stop Huawei's growth

State-owned Global Times writes that "Washington is resorting to a despicable rogue’s approach as it cannot stop Huawei’s 5G advance in the market.” Chinese media, whilst attacking Washington, do not seem to believe that the fragile truce in in the trade war reached in the recent meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping will be affected.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer and daughter of the company’s founder, is part of US efforts to contain the company, Chinese media claim.

Despite this, the latter seem to believe that the fragile truce reached in the trade war at the recent meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping still holds.

In an editorial on Friday, the Global Times said: “We believe that the US government, like China, is willing to end the trade war. It just wants to get as many conditions as it can.”

At the same time, it notes that “Washington is resorting to a despicable rogue’s approach as it cannot stop Huawei’s 5G advance in the market.”

Likewise, state-run China Daily said the arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer appeared to be part of US efforts to contain the company, which is the world’s largest telecoms equipment provider, as well as its second-largest mobile phone maker.

“One thing that is undoubtedly true and proven is the US is trying to do whatever it can to contain Huawei’s expansion in the world simply because the company is the point man for China’s competitive technology companies,” the editorial said.

Through diplomatic channels, China has demanded Meng’s immediate release. She was arrested in Canada on 1st December and faces extradition to the United States over reported sanctions violations with Iran.

Beijing has called on both Ottawa and Washington to immediately clarify the reasons for detaining Meng. China’s embassy in Canada has described the actions as having “seriously harmed human rights”.

On Thursday, the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said Meng’s arrest was not political.

“Of course, there was no engagement or involvement in the political level in this decision because we respect the independence of our judicial processes.”

• china
• united states
• canada
• meng wanzhou
• huawei
• donald trump
• xi jinping
• justin trudeau
• telecoms equipment provider