Chinese company comes out in solidarity with Huawei, denies promotion to employees using iPhones

Chinese companies are coming out in support of telecom giant Huawei after the recent arrest of its CFO in Canada, and big or small, are doing their bit to show solidarity towards the firm. While some companies have threatened employees with no promotions or incentives on using the US-based Apple products, one brewer in China’s Henan province announced that it will offer free alcohol worth 30 per cent of the cost of Huawei device purchases for employees as well as customers. The arrest has become an issue of national pride and some people are also of the opinion that the US is trying to stifle the Chinese giant as it sees the latter as a potential competitor.

Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the Huawei founder was accused by the US of misleading financial institutions regarding transactions in Iran, that violated US sanctions. She was arrested on December 1 by Canadian authorities in Vancouver on US’ request. China condemned the arrest and now firms are urging its staff to boycott the Apple products and apparently even threatening to punish those who don’t comply.

Read More | Chief financial officer of China's Huawei Meng Wanzhou arrested in Canada

Some companies have started offering to fund 10 to 20 percent of the Huawei device cost for their employees. While some are willing to cover even the full amount of purchase. According to a report, the show of support for Huawei has been widespread, ranging from Information Technology firms to food companies, as per a report in the NDTV.  The Nikkei Asian Review reported that an electronics maker Shanghai Youluoke Electronic and Technology is subsidising up to two Huawei phones per staff member. Similarly, another device maker Shenzhen Yidaheng Technology said it will reimburse as much as 18 per cent of the Huawei or ZTE device cost.

A Zhejiang-based telecom company said it would reimburse managerial staff, who purchase a Huawei phone, 50 per cent off the product’s sticker price, and will pay 20 per cent of the phone prices of other employees, as per a report in the Newsbyte. In the notice, the company also said that it will give a 25% reimbursement to those who relinquish their existing Apple phone to purchase a Huawei phone.