Merkel wants unified European stance on China's 5G

German leader says it will be 'disastrous' to send mixed signals to Beijing

German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech during a meeting of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin on Nov. 27. © AP

November 28, 2019 03:55 JST

BERLIN (Reuters) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on European countries on Wednesday to agree a common approach towards China and the rollout of the next generation 5G mobile network.

Some German lawmakers want to exclude China's Huawei from 5G contracts, following warnings by the United States that this could lead to spying for Beijing. Huawei denies the allegations made by Washington.