Wicker highlights national security risks of China’s efforts to dominate in 5G technology

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, questioned national security experts about the risk of Chinese technology dominance in next-generation wireless communications at a Jan. 29 hearing on the growing threat of China and Russia to U.S. national security.

Sen. Wicker’s line of questioning follows the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s unsealing of criminal charges on Jan. 28 against Chinese technology company Huawei for alleged crimes including bank fraud, sanctions violations and theft of trade secrets from U.S. companies.

The senator asked Ely Ratner, former deputy national security advisor to the Vice President, to address the national security threat from Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE.

“The threat it poses to supply chains, critical infrastructure – that is absolutely real,” Ratner said. “We know that the Huawei leadership has members of the Communist party within it, and the company has long and deep relationships with both the [Chinese military] and the ministry of state security in China.”

Ratner also expressed concerns that new Chinese laws give the state the right to use companies’ data and networks as they wish. “We need defensive measures and we need to invest in our own technology,” Ratner said. “The technology competition stretches across the military and the economy, and requires a comprehensive response.”

Sen. Wicker asked Elbridge Colby, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, to discuss his views on China regarding technological dominance and the race to deploy 5G wireless technology.

Colby cited the potential for blackmail and bribery, along with the economic leverage that China could exercise in regional capitals if its technology was widely adopted.
“This dissolves or corrodes the resolve in these countries … to stand up to potential Chinese coercion,” Colby said.

During the hearing Wicker cited a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed from former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, where he wrote, “Beijing is using companies like Huawei and ZTE as an extension of its intelligence network, engaging in criminal behavior to advance not only the bottom line but the interests of the Chinese state.”

Sen. Wicker said last week that the FBI indictments of Huawei officials confirmed the risk of China’s involvement in 5G technology. “The Commerce Committee is taking a hard look at the company’s activities and impact on developing technologies, such as 5G and autonomous vehicles, as well as network security and consumer data protection,” the senator said on Jan. 28.

Wicker will also lead a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on Feb. 6 on the topic: “Winning the Race to 5G and the Next Era of Technology Innovation in the United States.”

“The committee’s first hearing on 5G deployment and technology innovation will highlight an important issue not only to Mississippians, but to all Americans,” said Sen. Wicker, the new Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee chairman.

“Expanding broadband service and fostering innovation are top priorities of mine, and I look forward to continuing the committee’s efforts to close the digital divide in our nation and maintain U.S. leadership in 5G technology,” he added.