CHINA'S Commerce Ministry says Australia's ban on Huawei bidding for work on the national broadband network (NBN) is "unjust".
Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said in a statement late on Friday that Australia should not exclude Huawei Technologies Ltd from participating in a fair competition in the name of security.
The Australian government has prevented the privately owned Chinese telco from tendering for contracts to build the $35 billion NBN.
The decision came after advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) that Huawei's involvement could compromise national security.
Shen said Huawei had provided broadband network equipment and services for many countries and had operated in Australia for nearly a decade.
The ban highlights concern about a spate of hacking attempts aimed at international companies and the role of Chinese equipment providers, which are expanding abroad.
