FM denies Chinese telecoms' US security threat

The Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman on Monday refuted U.S. claims that two Chinese technology firms pose a national security threat to the United States.

"The investment of Chinese telecom companies in the United States has reflected the mutual benefit and win-win nature of Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations," Hong Lei said at a regular press conference in response to a question concerning a report to be issued by the House Intelligence Committee of the U.S. Congress on Monday.

Chinese telecom companies operate internationally in accordance with market economy principles, Hong said.

"We hope the U.S. Congress can respect the truth and overcome biases so as to boost bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and not the reverse," the spokesman added.

The House Intelligence Committee will warn in the report that Huawei Technologies Ltd. and ZTE Corp threaten the United States' national security.

An earlier report revealed that the committee's chairman, Mike Rogers, urges American companies not to do business with Huawei, so as to protect intellectual property rights, consumer privacy and U.S. national security.