Huawei: A Global Force - High Tech Giant and Suspected Spy | DW Documentary

Telecommunications giant Huawei is said to be one of the most powerful companies in China. But Huawei has been accused of systematic espionage, and some Western governments doubt whether the company is truly independent of the Chinese government.

This documentary investigates concerns about Huawei and internet security. The company is a major player in the manufacture of smartphones, and enjoys a technological lead in the development of the super-fast 5G broadband network worldwide.

But the US and some other Western countries suspect that Huawei works closely with the Chinese government on espionage and sabotage operations. Has Huawei becomne a pawn in the trade war between the US and China?

The arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Canada in 2018 -- at the request of US authorities -- marked the climax of the conflict between Huawei and Washington. Some European countries also have concerns about the company. Does Huawei really have close ties to the Chinese government? And what are the benefits and risks for those foreign clients who choose to work with this 5G giant?