German Officials Raise China Alarm as 5G Auctions Loom

Journalists follow the presentation of a Huawei smartphone ahead of the IFA Electronics show in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 2, 2015. Meng Wanzhou, deputy chair of Huwaei's board, was arrested in Canada on Dec. 1, 2018 on suspicion she violated U.S. trade sanctions. Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters

BERLIN—Senior German officials are planning a last-ditch drive to convince the government to consider excluding Chinese firms such as Huawei from providing equipment for the country’s 5G mobile network, because of national-security concerns.

The behind-the-scenes push in Berlin, which comes after decisions by Australia and the United States to ban Chinese suppliers from a 5G role, has emerged at a late stage; Germany is expected to start its 5G auctions in early 2019.