Feb 26 β€’ 22:42 UTC πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ China South China Morning Post

US presses Syria to shift from Chinese telecoms systems, cites threat to national security

The US has urged Syria to abandon Chinese telecom technology, citing national security concerns and the potential conflict with US interests.

The United States has issued a strong warning to Syria regarding its potential acquisition of Chinese telecommunications technology, citing significant concerns over national security. This warning indicates the growing tension between US interests and the expansion of Chinese influence in critical infrastructure sectors of other nations. Washington's message was delivered through diplomatic channels, highlighting the urgency and importance the US places on Syrian decisions in this realm.

Syria's government, as reported by sources familiar with the discussions, has indicated that it is in need of telecommunications infrastructure development and is weighing its options, which include Chinese technology. Officials in Damascus underscore the importance of vendor diversity to meet time-sensitive infrastructure needs. The US position asks for clarity on Syria's plans and expresses a clear preference for partnerships with American or allied firms, pointing to potential broader implications of reliance on Chinese technology, such as security vulnerabilities.

Despite the American warnings, Syria’s officials maintain that they are open to partnerships with US companies, yet they emphasize the urgent nature of their infrastructure projects. They face challenges such as US export controls and the complications of complying with various international trade regulations. This dialogue reflects not only the geopolitical tensions related to technology transfer but also the pressing economic realities that countries like Syria face in rebuilding their telecommunications landscape.

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