The Oxford University’s released statement on Friday suggested that Taiwan’s major Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has banned the products of China’s giant tech company “Huawei” and devices from connecting to ITRI’s internal networks.
According to Sputnik news reports, in an official statement, the university spokesperson said the decision comes amid public concerns that have raised in recent months surrounding the United Kingdom (UK) partnerships with Huawei.
In a statement, the spokesperson wrote: “Oxford University decided on January 8 this year that it will not pursue new funding opportunities with Huawei Technologies Co Ltd or its related group companies at present. Huawei has been notified of the decision which the university will keep under review. The decision applies both to the funding of research contracts and of philanthropic donations … The decision has been taken in the light of public concerns raised in recent months surrounding UK partnerships with Huawei.”
It added that the university’s existing research contracts with China’s company would continue its process.
The statement pointed out: “We currently have two such ongoing projects, with combined funding from Huawei of £692k ($899,000). Both projects were approved under the university’s regulatory processes before the current levels of uncertainty arose.”
The UK defence secretary Gavin Williamson has, in late December, expressed concerns over Huawei’s involvement into the UK’s 5G network. Also, the head of the UK secret intelligence service (M16) argued that the UK should decide how comfortable the dependence on Chinese technology in developing the 5G network is for the United Kingdom.