Irish Examiner view: More to the Chinese whispers

The Chinese ambassador to Ireland He Xiangdong. Picture: Moya Nolan

It’s comforting to be reassured by China’s ambassador to Ireland that critics have it all wrong about the widespread distribution of its technology and influence, but rather less so when he suggests that our government is succumbing to US and European “fever” about China.

He Xiangdong, talking to the Irish Examiner , dismisses cybersecurity fears over the app TikTok and the impact of the telecoms giant Huawei. And he offers us a truly remarkable guarantee. Despite anxieties that China has spied on other countries this has, Mr Xiangdong says, “not ever happened”.