Huawei founder’s daughter becomes president of the technology group: a decision that could be diplomatically sensitive

Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei, will take over the rotating presidency of the Chinese technology group for the first time in April.

 

A change in the situation that could increase diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Washington, since in 2018, Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States, for suspected bank fraud. The arrest made headlines at the time.

 

Meng Wanzhou, 51, is Huawei’s chief financial officer. In 2018, the daughter of the Huawei billionaire was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the United States, which suspected her of lying to access the Iranian market by circumventing U.S. sanctions. In particular, she allegedly misled the HSBC bank in this regard. The Chinese citizen spent three years under house arrest in Vancouver while she legally challenged her extradition to the United States. She finally reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, following which she was able to return to China. In the wake of Meng Wanzhou’s return, the Chinese regime released two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were detained in China in December 2018.

 

According to sources close to the matter, the appointment of Meng Wanzhou as president sets in motion the process of succession to her 78-year-old father.

 

In late January, several U.S. media outlets reported that the U.S. was considering cutting off Huawei’s access to U.S. suppliers altogether, due to the technology group’s close ties to the Chinese government. According to the U.S., Huawei could be used as a cover for Chinese espionage. The Chinese equipment manufacturer has strongly denied all accusations of espionage.