Editor's note: Tom Fowdy, who graduated with an MSc in Chinese Studies from Oxford University and majored in politics at Durham University, writes on the international relations of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN. For the past year, the United States government has waged an open and belligerent campaign against the Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei. As a part of Washington's broader "tech war" on China aimed at stifling the country's growing technological advances, the White House has lobbied nations around the world to blacklist the company from their 5G internet networks on national security pretenses. The administration has every step of the way had mainstream media support to its advantage, with outlets absorbing and perpetuating its political narratives at face value. Journalists have sought to subsequently frame a "backlash" against Huawei and banally describe the firm as "controversial." However, roughly a year after this campaign began, what exactly are the results? Has American lobbying, particularly in the case of its closest allies in Europe, paid off? Is the media hype to be believed? The answer is surprising: no. New statistics have found, not only has Huawei secured a growing number of 5G contracts around the world, over 60 percent of those contracts are based in European nations. Even though the company has faced up against stronger U.S. influence in Europe, as well as competing telecommunications firms based on the continent, it has been able to hold its own in the market. Why so? A mix of competitive prices and a lack of substantial evidence behind Washington's "espionage" narratives have ensured that despite the turmoil, Huawei's fundamental appeal has not been diminished.

Huawei products at the CES Asia 2019, Shanghai, June 12, 2019. /VCG Photo Huawei products at the CES Asia 2019, Shanghai, June 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

If you take the claims of the mainstream media at face value, you will probably believe that the whole world has banned Huawei on "national security grounds" – especially given that the American claims were published again and again without any form of serious scrutiny or doubt being cast on it. However, to gain the bigger picture, it is important to dive into what is not being reported "so loudly" – that is, what is not frontline news. In particular, what largely went unnoticed beyond the media hysteria was that American allies in Europe largely dismissed Washington's call for a Huawei ban, despite extensive diplomatic pressure. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, there has been a broad skepticism concerning so-called accusations of espionage. For example, Hungary's technology minister Laszlo Palkovics told media on Thursday, despite a personal visit by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo requesting Budapest ban the firm, that: "It has not been proven that Huawei's technology would pose any risk to Hungary, as we have seen no (data) to support that." Numerous other countries have repeated this line on the continent. Back in April, the Belgian national cybersecurity watchdog stated: "Until now we have not found technical indications that point in the direction of a spying threat." Germany has also made similar comments, and has allowed Huawei to participate in the bidding for 5G contracts providing it can fulfill certain security criteria, which looks likely. Thus, European countries have noted astutely that Washington's claims have been for the most part politically, rather than empirically motivated.

A Huawei 5G device is installed outside an exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2019. /VCG Photo A Huawei 5G device is installed outside an exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand, January 30, 2019. /VCG Photo