CHINESE multinational technology company Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. said the coronavirus pandemic will not have a significant impact on its operations in the short term but warned that a further spread of the virus will bring uncertainty to the continuity of its market supply.

“The pandemic won’t have much of a short-term impact on Huawei. As of today, most of our factories in China have resumed production and our total production capacity has recovered to normal levels,” the company said in a statement it provided to reporters after the Asia Pacific 5G Online Tour on May 20.

It said its supply hubs outside of China are working with its partners to support efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus diseases 2019 or COVID-19.

“Currently, production and operations in these supply centers are normal and supply risks are being adequately managed,” it added.

Huawei also said “further spread” of the virus that cannot be controlled “will create new long-term challenges and bring uncertainty to the continuity of its market supply.”

To ensure supply continuity and stability, the company said it is strictly enforcing infection prevention and control measures across its supplier network.

“These efforts will help them resume production while ensuring that their employees are healthy and safe,” it said.

During the online tour, Huawei officials showed to reporters its 5G exhibition hall named after Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.

Huawei said it has invested a total of $4 billion in research and development work for 5G. “We have established nine 5G standards and research centers worldwide, have more than 500 experts working on standards, and hold positions in over 100 standards organizations,” it said.

Citing customer feedback, the company said it is “two to three years” ahead of its competitors.

“We believe that 5G…is much safer than any other technologies such as 4G and 3G. This is the key message we want to share.” Huawei India Chief Executive Officer Jay Chen said.

Huawei, which has been conducting research on 5G since 2009, said it now owns “3,367 families of 5G patents, accounting for more than 20% of the total and ranking No. 1 among all vendors.”

“We are committed to be the enabler of Asia Pacific’s digital transformation, including policy consultant on national digital strategy, and providing faster, safer, more efficient digital infrastructure (4G/5G Wireless +Wired, Ultra Broadband),” the Chinese technology firm also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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