People attend an event at Huawei’s booth in a technology exhibition held in Paris, France on June 15, 2023. [Gao Jing / XINHUA]
China's technology giant Huawei Technologies is committed to the French market despite challenges posed by an increasingly complex global geopolitical situation.
Huawei Technologies France, which was launched in 2003, commenced construction on its factory project for mobile phone network equipment in France's Alsace region in April 2023.
With an investment of 200 million euros ($214 million), it will be Huawei's first factory in Europe and its largest manufacturing facility outside China.
Huawei Technologies France also boasts five R&D centers, an innovation center and a mathematics research center dedicated to basic research. Of its 1,100 employees, 80 percent are locally hired.
Zhang Minggang, deputy CEO of Huawei Technologies France, said that for Huawei, France and Europe are more than just important markets, they possess a sound industrial foundation, strong innovation capabilities, rich culture, and are host to numerous international standard organizations.
"On the one hand, Huawei hopes to create value for France through its activities and investment here. On the other hand, Huawei also hopes to take deeper root in France and Europe through its activities in France," Zhang said.
Huawei Technologies France contributes more than 1 billion euros to the French economy each year and has created 9,760 jobs, both directly and indirectly.
If the related business revenues of Huawei suppliers and partners are also included, the annual business volume would amount to 2.5 billion euros and total tax to the government coffer would be 265 million euros, including 65 million euros in tax paid directly by Huawei.
Zhang was proud that Huawei Technologies France has been recognized by local citizens, parliamentarians and local government officials for its good corporate citizenship.
Launched in 2021, the Huawei DigiTruck program offers a mobile classroom equipped with 20 computers, housed in a truck powered by solar energy. It offers workshops aimed at helping locals fight digital illiteracy.
According to France's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in June 2023, about 15.4 percent of the French population are struggling with digital technology or are unable to use IT tools.
Now in the sixth stage of its journey, the DigiTruck has been traveling since March on a four-month route. The DigiTruck program has so far welcomed some 6,000 people in more than 40 French cities. Two-thirds of the attendees are people over age 55.
Zhang Minggang, deputy CEO of Huawei Technologies France. [Chen Weihua / China Daily]
Zhang said local mayors and officials in France have shown great support and enthusiasm for the DigiTruck, assisting in promoting the program and organizing training for local individuals in need.
"Digital technology is a powerful vector for social and professional integration. Present in France for more than 20 years, Huawei wishes to assume its responsibilities as a major digital player and promote the mastery of IT tools to as many people as possible," Zhang said.
Zhang admitted that the fearmongering by the European Commission, branding Huawei as an unreliable vendor, had hurt the company.
He said facts speak louder, and various evaluations have shown that there is no cybersecurity issue or technical problem with Huawei 5G.
He added that he was encouraged by good news received in April, when Huawei Cloud announced its compliance with the EU Cloud Code of Conduct for its cloud services dedicated to the European market, regarded as a demonstration of Huawei Cloud's commitment to privacy, data security and transparency.
