Huawei's Lobbying Efforts Under Scrutiny

Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, is facing a fresh scandal in Europe after reports emerged that its lobbyists had bribed members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to curry favor with lawmakers. The allegations have led to a corruption investigation, with Belgian police raiding 21 addresses across Belgium and Portugal, including Huawei's European offices and homes associated with lobbyists linked to the company.

The investigation, codenamed 'Generation,' has been ongoing for over two years and is focused on allegations of bribery, forgery, money laundering, and criminal organization. According to reports, some 15 current and former MEPs are under investigation, with suspicions of bribery and other corrupt practices.

Huawei has been trying to expand its presence in Europe, but the company has faced significant opposition due to concerns over its ties to the Chinese government and the potential for its telecommunications equipment to be used for espionage. Several European countries have already begun phasing out Huawei equipment from their networks, although the pace of action has been criticized as being too slow.

The bribery scandal is likely to further damage Huawei's reputation in Europe and could lead to increased scrutiny of the company's activities on the continent. The investigation is also likely to have implications for the EU's relations with China, with some lawmakers calling for tougher action against Chinese companies accused of corrupt practices.