🚨 On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Chinese mainland's Foreign Ministry fired back at the European Union's new cybersecurity proposals, calling them "blatant protectionism" and political manipulation.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun argued that the measures – which would limit "high-risk" third-country suppliers – are widely seen as a move to squeeze out Chinese telecom companies from EU markets. According to the Chinese mainland, these rules ignore years of lawful operation and the contributions of Chinese enterprises to Europe's digital growth.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Political Pushback: The Chinese mainland labelled the EU plan as a tool of political manipulation rather than a genuine security effort.
- Market Impact: Officials warn that forced exclusions could slow the EU's tech progress and damage its market credibility.
- Industry Fallout: Telecom giants from the Chinese mainland have long been key players in Europe's 5G rollout and digital infrastructure.
This clash highlights rising tensions in global tech governance, as regions weigh security against open trade. With Brussels aiming to finalize the rules this spring, all eyes are on how the Chinese mainland will respond if its firms face tougher barriers.
Stay tuned to see how this digital standoff evolves – could it spark a new era of tech protectionism, or push both sides toward a compromise? 🌐🤝
Reference(s):
China condemns EU's cybersecurity measures as 'blatant protectionism'
cgtn.com
