Huawei to hire former Bush admin official as advisor

China's telecommunications equipment maker Huawei, whose equipment is under scrutiny of the Indian Home Ministry for security reasons, is reported to have hired an ex-official from the Bush administration as adviser in a bid to make inroads into the US market.

John Bellinger, the advisor in question, worked as chief attorney at the State Department and advised the National Security Council under George W Bush, state run China Daily reported.

He is currently a partner at Arnold & Porter, a law firm.

Huawei's move is a proof that the company is trying hard to gain a share in the US telecom market and convince the US national security authorities that it has no "military ties" and should be allowed to make acquisition in the US, it said.

Huawei quit a joint bid for 3 Com in 2008 after it became evident that the Bush administration would block the transaction.

US law allows the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US to block acquisition of sensitive US assets by foreign companies on national security grounds.

Technology and telecoms assets are especially sensitive.

Recruiting Bellinger shows that Huawei does not want to repeat its mistakes.

Besides Huawei, more and more Chinese companies are becoming aware of the importance of seeking counsel from overseas veterans or ex officials in their global strategy, the newspaper reported.

The import of equipment of Huawei and another Chinese company ZTE were held following security concerns over spyware in Chinese equipment.

The Home Ministry is currently looking into the complaints.