Alexander Downer was a Huawei Board Member

Huawei names John Brumby, Alexander Downer board members

CHINA'S Huawei Technologies has appointed Liberal and Labor elders, Alexander Downer and John Brumby, to its Australian board in a bid to secure part of the $1 billion-plus National Broadband Network technology deal.

As cyber-security fears rise, Huawei, the world's second biggest telecommunications equipment maker, has doubled efforts to assuage concerns by security agencies, including ASIO, about its feared connections with the People's Liberation Army.

Huawei, China's most successful privately held company, has increased disclosures in its annual report and has offered to open its networks for inspection.

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Huawei chairman, former PLA officer Ren Zhengfei, has met Communications Minister Stephen Conroy to make Huawei's case.

The company, which has struggled to make inroads in markets such as Australia, the US and India, has repeatedly denied links with the PLA, saying it is 100 per cent owned by its employees.

"People are a bit unsure about China but I remember when none of us would buy Japanese cars or products," retired rear admiral John Lord, who will chair the board, said.

"Many of Huawei's competitors have their products made in China as well."

Mr Ren said he wanted his company to be global.

He wanted to get the company better known and was keen to improve the relationship with the Australian government.

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https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/chinese-telco-hires-local-guns/news-story/e5c1feac4116360fcd9875a0408e48bb