|
"(The United States) is aware that some (countries) will try to
use the pandemic as a way to invest in critical industry and
infrastructure, with effect on security in the long term," Esper
told newspaper La Stampa, when asked whether China and Russia
were trying to gain influence in Italy by sending aid.
"Potential opponents will almost certainly try to use their
interest to put their interests forward and create divisions in
NATO and Europe," he said. "Huawei and 5G are an important
example of this malign activity by China."
Esper's comments come at a time when some U.S. officials have
blamed China for the coronavirus outbreak. Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo said on Sunday Washington had evidence the disease
emerged from a Chinese lab, which Beijing strongly denies.
Both China and Russia have offered support to Italy, sending
doctors, medical equipment and face masks to the country which
was the first in Europe to be hit hard by the outbreak.
The United States has long advised countries to boycott Huawei,
the world's biggest maker of telecoms equipment, in setting up
new 5G mobile phone networks, and also to scrutinise gear from
another Chinese firm, ZTE.
Washington says the equipment could be used by China to spy on
communications. Huawei and ZTE deny their gear poses a security
threat.
"Dependence on Chinese suppliers could make crucial systems
vulnerable to interruption, manipulation and espionage. This
would put at risk our capacity to communicate and to share
intelligence," Esper said.
Russia's assistance, including army medical staff, drew
attention to the limited support Italy received from the
European Union, and EU and NATO diplomats and officials have
seen it as a geopolitical move.
(Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Peter Graff)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
