World burns on US' stake of political correctness: China Daily editorial

There is apparently no need for politicians in Washington to have any evidence to raise questions about a "threat" to the national security of the United States from China. It has become political correctness.

Such a mindset has found fresh expression in a recent letter to the chair of the Federal Communications Commission, asking the FCC to address questions about potential security concerns involving cellular modules made by Chinese companies including Quectel and Fibocom Wireless.

The Republican chair of the House of Representatives China Select Committee, Mike Gallagher, and the panel's top Democrat, Raja Krishnamoorthi, in a letter to FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel raised the alarm that US medical equipment, vehicles and farm equipment could be accessed and controlled remotely from China if they use Chinese-made cellular modules, according to Reuters. FirstNet officials and sources close to Chinese device manufacturers said that the way Chinese modules are built into FirstNet-certified devices locks them down, and that no data is sent to China.

FirstNet Authority Communications Director Ryan Oremland told Newsweek in a written response to questions that ensuring the security of the FirstNet network is paramount for the company. He said there was "a robust process", including extensive testing, to ensure "the highest levels of security are maintained on the network and any equipment or devices that are used on the network."

However, in Washington, given the current national narrative and political discourse, it is not a question of whether technological equipment made by Chinese companies really does pose a threat to US national security. It is a question of whether politicians in Washington can raise questions about them to show that they have their finger on the pulse to safeguard the vital organs of the US.

"Threat or potential threat to national security" has become a virtue-signaling grab bag for politicians in Washington. In September, the FCC named Chinese telecom companies Pacific Networks, along with its wholly owned subsidiary ComNet (US), and China Unicom (Americas) as threats to US national security under a 2019 law aimed at protecting communications networks.

In March 2021, the FCC initially designated five Chinese companies under its "Covered List", including Huawei Technologies, ZTE, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Zhejiang Dahua Technology. The FCC did not have any evidence to support its decision, which is essentially a witch-hunt targeting the Chinese companies.

What Washington has done to these Chinese companies for political reasons has twisted market rules and fair competition. The unfair treatment of Chinese telecommunications companies is detrimental to the global industry and supply chains, and will undoubtedly do a disservice to the development of the US economy.

Nor will China just stand by when its companies are unfairly treated. The tit-for-tat between the world's largest two economies, instigated by Washington, bodes ill for the global economy.