EU telecom CEOs warn cybersecurity law could drain 5G funds; China urges rethink
Seventeen European telecom CEOs issued an open letter on September 15 warning that a proposed EU Cybersecurity Act amendment would force operators to spend an additional €40 billion replacing equipment from high-risk suppliers, widely seen as targeting Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE. The letter argues the mandate would divert funds from 5G and 6G construction and cause service disruptions. On September 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun cited assessments that the bill could cost the EU over €360 billion in five years, calling the approach protectionist and urging the EU to avoid discriminatory measures.
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European Telecom CEOs Warn EU Cybersecurity Act Could Cripple 5G and 6G Networks
An article from China's Science and Technology Daily, republished on Tencent Stock, reports that 17 European telecom CEOs have issued an open letter opposing a draft amendment to the EU Cybersecurity Act. The draft, proposed in January 2026, requires telecom operators to remove and replace components from high-risk suppliers within 36 months, widely seen as targeting Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE. The CEOs argue the mandate would drain funds needed for 5G and 6G construction, cause service disruptions, and harm customer satisfaction. A report by Assembly, commissioned by the lobby group Connect Europe, estimates the forced removal could cost up to 350 billion euros, degrade network quality (citing UK examples), reduce market competition by reinforcing an oligopoly of Nokia and Ericsson, and potentially violate EU treaties on national security. The article concludes that European operators' opposition demonstrates that security concerns about Chinese equipment are unfounded, urging the EU to listen to operators and withdraw the relevant provisions.
China Criticizes EU Cybersecurity Act Revision as Harmful, Citing Industry Cost Concerns
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) issued an open letter stating that a proposed revision of the EU's Cybersecurity Act would force European telecom companies to spend an additional €40 billion on equipment replacement. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun noted at a press briefing on the 16th that China had taken note of the reports. He pointed out that other institutions had previously assessed the legislation could cause losses exceeding €360 billion for the EU over the next five years. Guo argued that the open letter demonstrates the EU's approach 'harms others without benefiting itself,' stating that protectionism will not yield competitiveness but will cause Europe to miss digital transformation opportunities, damage its image on market openness, and undermine investor confidence. He expressed hope that the EU would listen to rational voices within Europe and refrain from adopting discriminatory restrictive measures.
Read sourceChina Urges EU to Heed European Telecoms' Concerns Over Cybersecurity Act Costs
On September 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to a reporter's question about an open letter from the European telecom lobbying group Connect Europe. The letter, signed by 17 heads of major European telecom companies and issued on September 15, warned that a proposed amendment to the EU's Cybersecurity Act would force European telecom firms to spend an additional €40 billion on equipment replacement, diverting funds from fiber-optic, 5G, and 6G network construction. Guo Jiakun stated that China has noted the reports and cited previous assessments indicating the bill could cause losses exceeding €360 billion for the EU over the next five years. He argued that the open letter proves the EU's approach is harmful and self-defeating, asserting that protectionism undermines competitiveness, damages Europe's image regarding market openness, and erodes confidence among companies investing in Europe. He urged the EU to listen to rational voices from all sectors in Europe and avoid adopting discriminatory restrictive measures.
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China Urges EU to Heed Rational Voices, Avoid Discriminatory Measures on Telecoms
On September 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to a journalist's query about an open letter from European telecom lobbying group Connect Europe. The letter, co-signed by heads of 17 major European telecom companies, warned that a proposed amendment to the EU's Cybersecurity Act would force telecom firms to spend an additional €40 billion on equipment replacement, diverting funds from fiber-optic, 5G, and 6G network construction. Guo Jiakun stated that China noted the reports and cited previous assessments indicating the bill could cause losses exceeding €360 billion for the EU over five years. He argued that the open letter proves the EU's approach is 'harmful to others without benefiting itself,' asserting that protectionism undermines competitiveness, delays digital transformation, damages Europe's image of market openness, and erodes investor confidence. He expressed hope that the EU would listen to rational voices from all sectors in Europe and avoid adopting discriminatory restrictive measures.
Read sourceChina Urges EU to Heed European Telecoms' Concerns Over Cybersecurity Act Costs
On September 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to a question about an open letter from the European telecom lobbying group Connect Europe. The letter, co-signed by the heads of 17 major European telecom companies, warns that proposed amendments to the EU's Cybersecurity Act would force telecom operators to spend an additional €40 billion on equipment replacement, diverting funds from fiber-optic, 5G, and 6G network development. Guo Jiakun stated that China has noted the reports and cited previous assessments suggesting the bill could cost the EU over €360 billion in losses over five years. He characterized the EU's approach as protectionist and harmful, arguing it would undermine Europe's digital transformation, market openness, and investor confidence. Guo called on the EU to listen to rational voices from all sectors in Europe and avoid adopting discriminatory restrictive measures. The remarks were reported by CCTV News.