Australia Funds Pacific Undersea Cable to Block China

Australia had reportedly agreed last Wednesday to fund the laying of underwater internet cables and a cyber security center for the Solomon Islands, blocking plans by Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. who was originally contracted to complete the project.

It is said that Australia deliberately stepped in due to security concerns posed by the involvement of Huawei. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told the media that while she will not elaborate on the issue, she confirmed that the Solomon Islands had already agreed to their deal which was cheaper.

However, a A Huawei spokesperson said that they were never informed of any security concerns with their planned cables for the Solomons. The company was also banned due to security reasons from working on Australia’s national broadband system in 2012.

Source: Reuters