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US and China diplomats trade accusations over Chinese tech in Latin America
The dispute centers on allegations that Chinese telecom and surveillance suppliers could pose risks to networks and sovereignty, with both sides accusing the other of intelligence activity.
Diplomats for the United States and China in Latin America have traded accusations online over alleged espionage risks tied to Chinese technology firms operating in the region, signaling continuing strategic friction between the two powers in the western hemisphere, according to SCMP Economy.
In a post shared by the US embassy in Panama, US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs Juan Pablo Segura cited telecom and surveillance companies including Huawei Technologies, ZTE and Hytera, as well as Hikvision, Dahua and DJI. He said Chinese law would force these suppliers to work with Beijing’s intelligence services, creating risks of spying, hacking and network shutdowns, and urged partners in the Americas to switch to “trusted suppliers.”
Beijing’s diplomatic mission in Panama responded on Sunday, rejecting Washington’s accusation as lacking “the slightest factual basis.” The statement also argued that the United States has engaged in intelligence activities across the region, while portraying itself as the victim, in a “stop thief” framing.