Germany may forbid China's Huawei and ZTE from using some 5G networks.

  Germany may forbid China's  Huawei and ZTE from using some 5G networks. Germany is considering banning specific components from Chines...

 Germany may forbid China's Huawei and ZTE from using some 5G networks.

Germany is considering banning specific components from Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in its telecoms networks, a government source said, in a potentially significant move to address security concerns.

Even as it works to pass legislation giving it the power to crack down on Huawei, the German government, which is in the midst of a broader reevaluation of its relationship with its key trading partner China, has been cautious about specifically singling out the company.

According to a report from the interior ministry on the review, if a particular supplier was found to be directly or indirectly controlled by the government of another state, it may be prohibited from supplying crucial components.

We cannot rely just on parts from one source, said Finance Minister Christian Lindner to Welt TV.

The spokeswoman for the interior ministry stated that the assessment might result in Germany requesting operators to replace parts that are already incorporated into networks and said that the current rules did not provide compensation for them.

This is an indication that the German government may now be treating China-related concerns to national security seriously," said Noah Barkin, managing editor with research firm Rhodium Group's China practice who specialises in German-Chinese ties.

Yet, the German 5G network is heavily dependent on Chinese vendors as a result of years of indecision. It will take a long time to unravel this.

The inclusion of Huawei and ZTE in the future's omnipresent mobile networks, according to their detractors, might enable Chinese spies and even saboteurs access to crucial infrastructure because of their strong ties to Beijing's security forces.

These allegations are refuted by Huawei, ZTE, and the Chinese government, who assert that they are driven by a protectionist desire to aid non-Chinese competitors.

Beijing would be "extremely puzzled and strongly disappointed," the Chinese embassy in Germany said in a statement, referring to stories in German media about a potential ban.

The foreign ministry of China expressed its hope that Germany would "make an independent decision in line with its own interests, economic patterns, and international laws that does not accept interference from a third party," according to a statement.

On Tuesday, a representative for the interior ministry acknowledged that the German government was conducting an overall evaluation of telecoms technology suppliers, but added that this review was not focused on any particular company.