The scary yet sham character sketch has been successful in barring a string of Chinese companies from engaging in legitimate investment activities in foreign lands.
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee warned in an October report that the equipment supplied by two Chinese telecom firms, Huawei Technologies and ZTE, could be manipulated by Beijing for espionage purposes.
Days later, an 18-month review ordered by the White House unearthed no clear evidence that could prove the two firms had once spied for China.
Still, the damage done by the unwarranted accusations could well overshadow the Chinese telecom equipment provider's future overseas business moves.
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