THE London-based HSBC bank has denied Chinese media reports that it “framed” telecoms giant Huawei and “fabricated evidence” that led to the arrest of a top company official.

Washington’s investigations into Huawei for allegedly violating US sanctions on Iran started before the bank’s involvement with the company in late 2016, said the lender yesterday in its first public comments on the legal battle.

“HSBC has no malice against Huawei, nor has it framed Huawei,” it said in a statement posted on Chinese messaging app WeChat.

“HSBC has not fabricated evidence or concealed facts, nor will it distort facts or harm any customers for our own benefit.”

The statement comes a day after Chinese state media, including Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily, published reports accusing HSBC of lying about Huawei during an investigation by the US Justice Department.

The probe led to Canada arresting Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in December 2018.

China’s internet censors blocked access to HSBC’s statement within hours of its publication, without offering an explanation.

Meng, the daughter of Huawei’s founder, is under house arrest in Vancouver, Canada, fighting extradition to the US.

Washington said she concealed Huawei’s alleged dealings with Iran from lenders, including HSBC.

Meng’s lawyers last week said HSBC was well aware of Huawei’s activities in Iran, but claimed ignorance to dodge further US punishment.

The bank has come under pressure as US-China relations sour.

It has also come under fire in Britain for backing a controversial security law on Hong Kong – one of its biggest markets. The law allows Beijing to curb political freedoms in the semi-autonomous financial hub. – AFP, July 26, 2020.