US sources fear that Huawei could be compelled to assist the Chinese military

A Chinese telecoms giant that wants to supply vital technology for Britain’s new 5G mobile network has received funding from branches of Beijing’s state security apparatus, the CIA has told spy chiefs.

American intelligence shown to Britain says that Huawei has taken money from the People’s Liberation Army, China’s National Security Commission and a third branch of the Chinese state intelligence network, according to a UK source.

The US shared the claims with Britain and its other partners in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance — Australia, New Zealand and Canada — earlier this year, with the UK entering the final stages of a wider review into its next generation mobile network rollout.

The funding allegation is the most serious claim linking the world’s largest telecoms