If anyone wanted to import the virus (it's already here anyway)
with wrongful intent, I doubt that a government ban would dissuade
them. So a ban would be not just useless, it would be silly. So this
is good reason to not ban it.
As for Chinese computer technology, there is a real risk that some
malicious code could be embedded, given the tremendous complexity
of such products. So is it really paranoia...or is it reasonable?
I don't know. Could you make a case for it being mere paranoia?
The USA, UK, China and just about any other country and individual are perfectly capable of placing malicious code into our infrastructures. that is, who ever makes the hardware, or writes the original code. So, keeping out hardware is pretty pointless.
The UK security service maintains a massive hi tech security and communications facility in Cheltenham. who are perfectly capable of doing this sort of thing and most probably do. they are equally capable of countering such endeavours.
However there is no evidence that China has done any such thing, while there is evidence that the USA has been engaged in such work. especially in regard to spying on their own population.
To restrict High tech trade just because of a possibility is counter productive.
All the major technology companies employ people of every nationality and political persuasion in research and development, and where there are people, there is always the possibility of corruption.
there are far easier and more covert ways to introduce malicious code than during the manufacturing process.
Such code is probably already in place in american core facilities, both active or awaiting awaking.
Some of it may even be Chinese. though Russia and the western nations including the USA seems to be more active in this field
The paranoia is in supposing China is "out to get you" when it has never, in all its long history, shown any interest in conquest. rather it has shown unlimited concern for looking after and defending its own interests and territory.
I would not blame it in the least if it were to defend those interest using technology.
Europe as a whole sees great benefit in partnering with China in research and development, and trade in general. It is perfectly aware of potential dangers. the greatest of which is to be come dependant. A fact we have found out to our cost, in the dependence we have on American companies like Google. Who only trade with us with the permission of the US government, which is already using such power to coerce us into doing its bidding.
In this regard the USA has proved to be more dangerous than China over recent years.
I saw a report today that quotes Huawei as saying they have decided not to rely on Google tools any longer and continue to develop it own support for open Android. they have put 3000 developers on to doing just that. (though it will continue to develop its own harmony operating system as well)
Huawei is done with Google for good
Google will regret such a massive lost to its trade with the second largest Phone maker in the world. Huawie is inevitably going to become a competitor rather than a customer. especially though out Asia the middle east and Africa. all major growth areas.
It is already the major supplier of telecoms equipment in the world. Even though it is lock out of the USA as a market. the UK government has confirmed that It will continue to supply the UK with over 35% of its 5G equipment. Tt will only be banned in proximity to high security areas.
