Huawei calls for cyber co-operation

The founder of Chinese telecom equipment giant Huawei, which has faced security concerns in the US and Australia, is calling for global co-operation to improve data protection.

In a rare public appearance at an economic forum on Friday, Ren Zhengfei said data would be "vulnerable to attack again and again" because technology will develop faster than security.

He gave no details of possible joint measures.

"Cyber security is a common issue that the whole industry has to face," Ren said at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. "We must join hands to proactively address this issue."

Huawei Technologies, which Ren founded in 1987, has faced suspicions it is controlled by China's ruling Communist Party or is a front for the military. The company has denied it is a security threat and says it is owned by its employees.

Huawei was barred from bidding to work on Australia's National Broadband Network due to concerns about cyber attacks traced to China.

The company had to unwind its purchase of a US computer company, 3Leaf Systems, last year after it failed to win approval from a government security panel.

The moves highlighted concern about a spate of hacking attempts aimed at Western companies and the role of Chinese equipment providers.

Huawei works with 45 of the 50 biggest global phone companies and says it has won the industry's trust. It publicly invited the US government last year to investigate it in order to allay security concerns.

Ren, a former military engineer, said the industry must rapidly develop reliable cyberspace technology to support development of education and social skills.

"Data floods will never go away," he said. "No matter how well we design and reinforce security assurance systems, they will be vulnerable to attacks again and again."

Ren is one of China's most enigmatic business figures, rarely appearing in public and never talking to reporters. Forbes magazine has estimated his net worth at more than $US1 billion ($A997.85 million).

Ren said Huawei planned to expand investment in Russia to take advantage of the country's background in technology. Huawei already has a development lab in Moscow, one of 23 around the world, including in Silicon Valley.

• Find a personal loan
• Find a credit card
• Find a home loan
• Find a savings account