German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on 8th that Germany attaches great importance to the safety requirements and verifiability of companies involved in the construction of 5G networks, but will not set standards for a specific supplier. On the same day, Merkel met with visiting European Commission President-elect von Delaine at the Berlin Prime Minister’s Office. At the joint press conference between the two sides, Merkel responded to questions from reporters about whether the German government would re-evaluate the Chinese company’s participation in the German 5G network construction under pressure from the US.

She said that Germany will definitely improve the safety standards of 5G networks, and all equipment suppliers must comply with the same safety standards. As a device supplier, Huawei has actively participated in the construction of 2G and 3G networks in Germany. Germany will not set standards for a specific supplier. She also called on the EU to develop a unified 5G network security standard.

Von Delane said that the European Commission is consulting various member states on the status quo and risks of 5G network construction, and will form a unified view within a few weeks and formulate strategies to avoid risks while using 5G.

U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo, who is visiting in Berlin, gave a speech in the morning and attacked China. She called on Germany to exclude Huawei from the construction of 5G networks on the grounds of so-called cyber security.

The Chinese Embassy in Germany expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition on the 8th. The spokesman of the Embassy pointed out that Pompeo’s remarks were filled with the outdated concept of the Cold War mentality and the zero-sum game, exposing the deep-rooted anti-China psychology and political prejudice of individual US politicians.

According to German media reports in October, under the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office, the German Federal Network Office revised the draft 5G network security standard, making it possible for Huawei to provide equipment to the German 5G network. The German government spokesman confirmed that Germany will not preempt any company from participating in the construction of 5G networks.