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Transcript/ScriptDigital Silk Road
HEADLINE: China’s Digital Silk Road, Advancing Technology’s Reach
TEASER: Germany is considering a ban on Chinese 5G equipment while other
countries welcome technologies from China.
PUBLISHED AT 3/14/23 at 5:30pm
BYLINE: Elizabeth Lee
CONTRIBUTOR: Henry Ridgwell
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell, Adam Greenbaum
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Page, Jepsen
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AFP, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:58
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: Editors this story provides an overview of what the Digital Silk Road
is, the latest concern and why other countries welcome China’s technology and why
consumers should care. It will be part of the Inside Story and an addition to the China
Global Footprint project..))
((INTRO))
[[From 5G infrastructure to mobile phones and more, Chinese technologies are used in
many parts of the world. It’s part of China’s Digital Silk Road initiative, which is getting
mixed reviews: welcomed by some countries, while others are assessing the potential
risks of Chinese technology. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee explains.]]
((NARRATOR))
From phones to computers, what connects people in many parts of the world is Chinese
technology.
China calls its global tech effort the Digital Silk Road. Launched in 2015, Beijing
describes it as “the technology dimension of China’s Belt and Road Initiative” with a
scope that runs from the ocean floor into space. Germany has Chinese technology but
is considering whether to ban Chinese 5G equipment.
[[for radio: Maximilian Kall is a spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry.]]
((Maximilian Kall, German Interior Ministry)) ((male, in German)) ((Reuters))
"These strict checks for potential security risks now also apply to the existing
components in telecommunications networks, and that these existing components will
also be critically checked in the next few months."
((NARRATOR))
The Chinese embassy in Berlin responded that it is “puzzled and strongly dissatisfied”
by Germany’s actions. In the U.S., strong restrictions on Chinese technology started
under former President Donald Trump, who cited national security concerns. In the
U.K., Huawei technology must be removed from its 5G networks by the end of 2027.
Here’s how China responded to the British decision in 2020.
((Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry)) ((female, in Mandarin))
The United Kingdom, with no concrete evidence, under the pretext of risks which don't
exist at all, has cooperated with the United States to discriminate against, oppress and
exclude Chinese enterprises.
((NARRATOR))
Security concerns over the ability for Beijing to spy with Chinese technology and control
of the telecommunications infrastructure have raised alarms in some Western countries,
but nations from Southeast Asia to Africa have welcomed China’s offers of a cheaper
path to digital connectivity says Meia Nouwens, a Chinese security expert.
((Meia Nouwens, International Institute for Strategic Studies)) ((female, in English))
“So, in Africa I think the conversations are a little different as they will be in other
developing and emerging economies where the emphasis is not so much on security
concerns but predominantly on how Chinese companies can help these countries
develop their digital economies.”
((NARRATOR))
While several countries beyond China provide options for tech equipment such as
phones, there is one area of digital competition where the U.S. and China are the main
players, says financial risk expert Robert Greene.
((Robert Greene, Patomak Global Partners))
“Cloud services and cloud computing is a very big area to focus on.”
((NARRATOR))
While competition between countries may happen at the geopolitical level, analysts say
it also impacts consumers.
[[for radio: Again, Meia Nouwens]]
((Meia Nouwens, International Institute for Strategic Studies)) ((female, in English))
“Understanding this larger geopolitical context is really important for the average
consumer to understand that we're not necessarily dealing with another government
that operates in the same way as our government does.”
((NARRATOR))
As with any technology, Nouwens says, consumers should think about how much they
trust the tech they use and weigh the risks that technology may pose as to who is
storing personal data and how the information is being used.
((Elizabeth Lee, VOA News.)
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Washington D.C.
Embargo DateMarch 14, 2023 17:57 EDT
Byline
((Elizabeth Lee, VOA News.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
