US Warns Syria Against Using Chinese Telecom Technology

The United States has warned Syria against relying on Chinese technology for its telecommunications sector, citing concerns that it conflicts with US interests and threatens national security, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

The warning was delivered during a previously unreported meeting in San Francisco on Tuesday between a US State Department team and Syrian Communications Minister Abdulsalam Haykal. Washington has maintained close coordination with Damascus since 2024, when Syria’s current President Ahmed al-Sharaa replaced longtime leader Bashar al-Assad, whose government maintained a strategic partnership with China.

Syria is reportedly considering the use of Chinese equipment to support its telecom towers and local internet service providers. “The US side asked for clarity on the ministry’s plans regarding Chinese telecom equipment,” said a source briefed on the talks. Syrian officials stressed that infrastructure projects are urgent and said Damascus seeks greater vendor diversity to modernize its networks quickly.

A US diplomat familiar with the discussions told Reuters that the State Department “clearly urged Syrians to use American technology or technology from allied countries in the telecoms sector.” It was not immediately clear whether Washington offered financial or logistical support to facilitate such partnerships.

Responding to Reuters, a State Department spokesperson said, “We urge countries to prioritise national security and privacy over lower-priced equipment and services in all critical infrastructure procurement. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” The spokesperson added that Chinese intelligence and security services “can legally compel Chinese citizens and companies to share sensitive data or grant unauthorised access to their customers’ systems,” noting that promises by Chinese companies to protect privacy conflict with China’s own laws.

China has consistently rejected allegations of using technology for espionage. The Syrian Ministry of Telecommunications said any decisions on equipment and infrastructure are made in line with national technical and security standards to ensure data protection and service continuity. The ministry also emphasized its focus on diversifying technology sources to serve the national interest.

Syria’s telecom infrastructure has long relied on Chinese technology, partly because US sanctions limited access to American products. Huawei accounts for over half of the networks operated by Syriatel and MTN, the country’s only telecom providers, according to a senior company source and documents reviewed by Reuters. Huawei did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Syria aims to rebuild its private telecommunications sector, which was devastated by 14 years of conflict. In early February, Saudi Arabia’s STC announced an $800 million investment to enhance Syria’s networks and connect the country through a 4,500-kilometre fibre-optic network.

Despite ongoing US restrictions, the Syrian ministry said it welcomes cooperation with American companies once barriers are lifted. The country’s telecommunications infrastructure remains weak outside urban centres, and internet speeds in many areas are limited to just a few kilobits per second. Instagram said it would notify parents if their teenager repeatedly searches for terms related to suicide or self-harm within a short period, highlighting the broader concerns over technology, security, and user safety that continue to shape policy discussions globally.