Australia's 5G China Ban: Huawei's 5G project is banned by Australia's gov't

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Experts believe Australia's stance on Chinese company Huawei will further sour an already strained relationship between the two countries. The Australian government has banned the telecommunications giant from working on its 5G communications network. Greg Navarro explains.

At an event in Canberra, the head of one of Australia's intelligence agencies signalled a change in government's approach to national security.

MIKE BURGESS, DIRECTOR-GENERAL AUSTRALIAN SIGNALS DIRECTORATE "Getting security right for critical infrastructure is paramount."

That's why Australia's government says it decided to ban Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from taking part in the rollout of the country's 5G communications network.

MIKE BURGESS, DIRECTOR-GENERAL AUSTRALIAN SIGNALS DIRECTORATE "The stakes could not be higher. This is about more than just protecting the confidentiality of our information, it is also about integrity and availability of the data and systems that we rely on in our everyday lives."

That prompted a response from China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang.

LU KANG CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN "Australia should facilitate convenience for the cooperation between the companies of both countries, instead of making various excuses to build barriers and conduct discriminatory practices."

PROFESSOR BATES GILL, ASIA PACIFIC SECURITY STUDIES MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY "It is not a surprise because of course, there are other examples of other governments around the world that similarly reacted to Huawei activity and investment in their countries."

That includes the United States which banned Huawei from entering the US market for network equipment, citing concerns over potential links to China's government.

5G is a wireless communications network that can transmit data more quickly.

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "Experts believe we will notice a number of practical benefits from the technology in a variety of areas including, for example, driverless cars, which will be able to talk to each other and things that humans drivers can see easily like traffic lights."

But experts say the technology designed to enhance a county's critical infrastructure can also put sensitive information at risk.

PROFESSOR BATES GILL, ASIA PACIFIC SECURITY STUDIES MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY "It's often called the back door method where additional information gathering technologies are introduced into an ostensibly public system which would then allow those who can manipulate that technology to draw information out."

Australia and China continue to enjoy a healthy economic relationship, with bi-lateral trade worth more than $180 billion AUD.

But the diplomatic relationship between the two countries has been strained.

Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull singled out China when he introduced new laws to stop foreign interference in domestic politics.

"Now we have recently seen disturbing reports about Chinese influence. I take those reports, as do my colleagues, very seriously."

PROFESSOR BATES GILL, ASIA PACIFIC SECURITY STUDIES MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY "You add on this decision of the 5G for Huawei and it makes the situation even more difficult."

Australia has not said whether it intends to ban other foreign companies as well from working on its 5G network.

Greg Navarro, CGTN, Sydney.