Secret Faroe/Chinese sound clip published

Danish newspaper Berlingske has published the contents of the sound clip on which KvF was banned from reporting.

The clip consists of a short conversation between trade minister Helgi Abrahamsen and Herálvur Joensen, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade.

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According to Berlingske, Joensen informed the minister that the Chinese Ambassador to Denmark, Feng Tie, had told Faroese ministers at two secret meetings on 11 November that if the Føroya Tele/Huawei agreement to work together on developing a 5G network in the Faroes is finalised, there would be nothing in the way of establishing a free trade deal between the two nations.

Joensen also told the minister that if the deal with Huawei falls through, there would be no talk of a possible free trade deal with China.

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Later in the short sound bite, Joensen said that he understood from Faroese and Danish authorities that it would probably be best if the Faroes opted out of the Chinese 5G solution.

Toward the end of the clip, Joensen adds that Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen had made it clear that the Faroese government will not interfere with the decision on who will provide the equipment for a 5G network.

Conciliation meeting

The head of the Faroese representation office in Copenhagen last week met with representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Copenhagen in an attempt to clear up any confusion regarding recent events between both nations.

"Both parties are sorry about what has happened, and both parties are keen to ensure that this does not happen again," Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen told Danish national broadcaster DR.

Translated by prosa.fo