As 6G race begins, West is still caught up with China’s 5G: Global Times editorial
Global Times
In recent days, two significant events have taken place in the global communication technology field. First, China has built the world’s first field test network for 6G communication and intelligent integration, significantly enhancing the performance of the communication system. Second, Germany plans to remove Huawei, ZTE and other Chinese communication companies’ technology and components from its 5G wireless networks by 2029, citing concerns about “espionage” and viewing this as a step in “de-risking.” These two events form a stark contrast: while globally leading China continues to push forward with 6G technology research and development, some countries are still entangled in deciding which company’s products to use for 5G technology.
Germany’s previous willingness to use China’s 5G products was straightforward: Chinese communication equipment offers better quality, higher stability and more reasonable prices, which are the natural outcomes of market competition. Despite continuous pressure from the US, Germany had maintained a rational and pragmatic stance, making choices that aligned with its own interests over the past few years. The latest decision, rather than being the result of careful scrutiny, appears to be a product of multifaceted pressure and domestic political maneuvering. Security agencies have been hyping the so-called Chinese espionage issue, and some parties within the “traffic light coalition” government are eager to pursue “de-risking” from China. 5G, which should have been handled with caution, has been hastily pushed toward the so-called politically correct choice of a “ban.”
In the field of communication technology, whether it is cutting-edge technology development or commercial deployment, China undoubtedly leads the world. This has caused significant anxiety for the US, which has focused on the as yet undecided international standards for 6G, hoping to form a “small circle” to develop its own “international standards” and undermine China’s achievements. In February, the US gathered nine countries, including Canada, the Czech Republic and Finland, to form a “6G alliance.” However, progress in global 6G development is bound to be difficult without China’s participation. As an extension and upgrade of 5G technology, 6G needs to rely on 5G’s technological accumulation and large-scale industrial base to explore innovative paths, making China indispensable at this level.
Regarding the so-called network security risks of China’s 5G, most discerning people worldwide have realized that this is merely a tool used by the US to suppress Chinese companies. To date, no country has proven that Chinese enterprises’ equipment poses any security threats. On the contrary, countries that followed Washington’s lead have suffered losses in 5G application. The UK, one of the most active countries in responding to Washington’s call to exclude Huawei from its 5G construction, showed poor performance in 5G when compared to its European counterparts, according to a 5G benchmark test conducted by the Spanish company Medux in February this year. British operators lagged behind other European operators, with London ranking bottom among major cities while Berlin ranked first. The UK’s ban on Huawei’s 5G equipment is a primary reason for its poor performance.
Germany’s 5G progress and overall digitalization have performed well in Europe, thanks in part to the significant contributions of Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE, with Huawei equipment accounting for over 50 percent of Germany’s 5G radio access networks. Now, following the UK’s already proven wrong policy, Germany plans to exclude Chinese equipment and components based on unfounded fears, thereby weakening its own advantages and capabilities under the guise of “de-risking.” A previously disclosed internal document from Deutsche Telekom revealed that replacing the components would take five years and cost a total of 3 billion euros (approximately 23.7 billion RMB).
As China has always emphasized, non-cooperation is the greatest risk, and lack of development is the greatest insecurity. China has made significant achievements in the communication field and is willing to work together with countries worldwide. Excluding China from this field is unrealistic. Chinese communication companies have operated in Europe for many years, building high-quality communication infrastructure and generating numerous jobs and large tax revenues. China has always kept its 5G construction open to European companies like Nokia and Ericsson, never viewing them as “security threats.” China and Europe should not create artificial political conflicts but should instead expand the vast space for economic and trade cooperation. Win-win cooperation helps both sides’ companies enhance their competitiveness and make technological achievements more accessible to the public. This is the best way to “de-risk.”
