FT has learned about the EU's desire to limit access to critical infrastructure for China

Brussels wants to phase out Chinese-made equipment in the critical infrastructure of the European Union (EU), banning companies such as Huawei and ZTE from working in the field of telecommunications networks, solar energy systems and security scanners. This was reported on January 17 by the Financial Times (FT) newspaper, citing sources.

"This step comes amid a reform of EU security and technology policy, redefining reliance on large American technology companies and Chinese "high-risk" suppliers, which some officials believe could be used to collect sensitive data. The United States has long banned Huawei from accessing its telecommunications networks," the article says.

According to the interlocutors of the publication, the proposal on changes in cybersecurity will be submitted for discussion on January 20, 2026 and "will make the existing voluntary regime of limiting or excluding high-risk suppliers from their networks mandatory for all EU countries."

FT notes that the previous recommendations were not implemented by all countries. So, in the summer of 2024, Spain signed a €12 million contract with Huawei for the supply of wiretapping data storage equipment.

The newspaper's sources add that the exact timing of the phase-out will depend on the assessment of the risks that the supplier poses to the block and the specific sector. At the same time, some representatives of the EU industrial sector point to the lack of viable alternatives to European production.

AI without borders: Chinese models capture the US and help Russia

Asian neural networks are changing the rules of the game in the global AI systems market

FT reported on December 8 last year that Chinese smartphone manufacturers have begun actively promoting artificial intelligence (AI) features in their products in competition with Apple. Honor, Oppo, Xiaomi, Huawei and other Chinese IT giants have significantly increased the promotion of AI in their devices. According to analysts, Chinese manufacturers are actively beating Apple, which is trying to get permission to operate its neural network in China, but so far without success. According to experts, Apple's AI tools available in other countries are significantly inferior to the capabilities of Chinese neural networks.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.