BEIJING, Jan 19 (Reuters) - China foreign ministry on Monday called on the European Union not to hurt enterprises' confidence in investing there following an FT report of a move to phase-out Chinese
China Urges EU to Maintain Investment Confidence Amid Restrictions
China's Call for Fair Investment Practices
BEIJING, Jan 19 (Reuters) - China foreign ministry on Monday called on the European Union not to hurt enterprises' confidence in investing there following an FT report of a move to phase-out Chinese suppliers from key EU infrastructure.
Concerns Over Protectionism
In a faxed comment to Reuters regarding the report, the Chinese ministry called restricting Chinese firms without legal basis "naked protectionism" and urged the EU to provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.
EU's De-risking Strategy
The FT reported on Saturday that Brussels is to propose phasing out Chinese‑made equipment from critical infrastructure, barring companies such as Huawei and ZTE from telecom networks and solar energy systems.
Impact on Technological Progress
The proposal will be presented on Tuesday as the EU revamps its security and tech policy, the report said.
The EU has grown more cautious toward Chinese enterprises' involvement in critical infrastructure particularly as part of its broader "de-risking" strategy.
"Turning trade into security and political issues will hinder technological progress and economic growth and to no one's good," China's foreign ministry said.
(Reporting by Ethan Wang, Shi Bu and Ryan Woo; Editing by Toby Chopra)
