Media: Chinese ambassador threatened government

The Chinese Ambassador to Denmark told the Faroese Prime Minister that a free trade deal would only be possible if Huawei was given the job of developing a Faroese 5G network.

Danish newspaper Berlingske yesterday reported that the ambassador, Feng Tie, 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.

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The first meeting was with foreign minister Jenis á Rana, and the second one was with Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen and finance minister Jørgen Niclasen, who is also responsible for telecommunications.

Berlingske, which does not reveal its sources in the article, goes on to say that a sound recording of a conversation between trade minister Helgi Abrahamsen and the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade reveals that the Prime Minister made it clear to the Chinese ambassador that the Faroese government will not interfere with the decision on what company should provide equipment for the 5G network.

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The sound bite also reveals that the Danish Ministry of Defence has advised the Faroese government against striking up a deal with the Chinese company.

Berlingske has repeatedly requested a comment from the Chinese Embassy in Denmark but without luck.

A Huawei spokesperson told the newspaper that the company is not aware of the meetings between the Chinese ambassador and the Faroese ministers.

Translated by prosa.fo