China to take ‘necessary’ measures in response to the U.K.’s Huawei ban

China’s Commerce Ministry stated on Thursday that it would take the ‘necessary’ measures in response to the United Kingdom’s ban on Huawei Technologies Co Ltd (HWT.UL). The government agency said that it would severely damage China’s investment confidence in the country.

“China is evaluating the U.K. actions that have betrayed free trade principles and will take necessary measures to resolutely defend Chinese firms’ legal rights,” China’s Commerce Ministry Spokesman Gao Feng said during a press briefing.

On Wednesday, China warned British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that his decision to ban Huawei from the United Kingdom’s 5G network would significantly dent the British-Chinese investment relations.

United Kingdom’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that mobile network operators in the country would be forced to stop buying equipment from Huawei by the end of the year. He also added that they would be required to strip out all Huawei gears from their infrastructure by 2027.

“This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for the U.K.’s telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy both now and indeed in the long run,” Dowden said in an interview with some lawmakers.