(Yicai) July 12 -- China has strongly opposed Germany's decision to ban the use of components made by Chinese telecommunications firms, including Huawei Technologies and ZTE, in core parts of its fifth-generation network over potential security risks.

China will take necessary measures to protect the legitimate interests of Chinese companies, according to the statement released by Chinese embassy in Germany.

Telecoms firms have long complied with the European country's laws and regulations and contributed to its digitalization, it added.

Germany has agreed with telecom providers to exclude Chinese companies from its 5G network from 2029, according to local reports on the same day, citing Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. The deal is a crucial safeguard for digital security in the country, she noted.

The issue with 5G is some countries' unscrupulous attempt to maintain their scientific and technological hegemony, the embassy noted. The alleged cybersecurity risks are only a pretext and no country has provided conclusive evidence to prove security risks with Chinese companies' equipment, it added.

China has maintained an open attitude toward European companies, such as Nokia and Ericsson, and never regarded them as security threats in its 5G construction, the embassy pointed out. Germany's decision is politically discriminatory, which seriously undermines mutual trust and will affect future cooperation between China and Europe in related sectors, it stressed.

Germany announced its decision during a NATO Summit in Washington, leading China to question its independence.

Germany and Europe cannot demand fair competition while adopting discriminatory practices against foreign firms over potential security risks, the embassy said. Fair and impartial handling of relevant issues is an important standard for testing the German business environment, it noted, adding that the country's decision affects the normal economic and trade cooperation with China and impacts foreign investors' confidence in Germany.

Chinese telecom companies, including Huawei, have built high-quality communications infrastructure in Europe, creating many jobs and generating tax revenue, said Lin Jian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is no evidence that they jeopardize the national security of European countries, so China hopes Germany can provide a non-discriminatory market environment, Lin added.

Editor: Martin Kadiev