By: Dr. Avi Verma

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and Chairman John Moolenaar (MI-04), have announced a wide-ranging investigation into Futurewei Technologies, Inc., the U.S.-based research arm of Huawei.

The inquiry follows new findings by the Select Committee that Futurewei has allegedly operated as a proxy for Huawei and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), embedding itself in U.S. institutions and influencing global technology standards despite federal restrictions and contracting bans.

In a letter addressed to Futurewei Vice President Jason Chao, the committee cited evidence of the company’s role in authoritarian internet control proposals, CCP-directed projects like OpenHarmony, and its sustained U.S. presence in defiance of sanctions.

“Futurewei portrays itself as an independent American company, but the evidence shows it has functioned as a vehicle for Huawei and the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our institutions and reshape the technologies that underpin the modern world,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “We are demanding transparency about Futurewei’s operations, its relationship with Huawei, and its role in Beijing’s long-term strategy to displace American technological leadership.”

Push for Authoritarian Internet Standards

The committee pointed to Futurewei’s work on Huawei’s “New Internet Protocol,” which aims to replace the decentralized internet with a government-controlled model. The letter warned that this would allow “mass surveillance, user tracking, and content censorship,” exporting Beijing’s digital authoritarianism to the world.

Expansion Despite Huawei Sanctions

After U.S. restrictions on Huawei in 2019, Futurewei reportedly expanded its policy and industry roles, joining the Internet Society’s board of trustees by 2022 and obtaining platinum membership. Its staff also played key roles in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) groups shaping global standards.

Deep Ties to CCP-Backed Operating Systems

The investigation highlights Futurewei’s contributions to Huawei’s HarmonyOS and OpenHarmony projects. Senior Futurewei staff have served on OpenHarmony’s Technical Steering Committee, including responsibilities for graphics and image processing components.

Concerns Over U.S. Tech Exposure

Lawmakers raised alarm over Futurewei’s decade-long presence within NVIDIA’s Santa Clara campus, suggesting proximity may have given it access to sensitive semiconductor and AI technologies.

Committee Demands Transparency

Futurewei has been asked to turn over records by September 28, 2025, including organizational charts, revenue data, contracts, regulatory filings, and source code contributions. The committee also seeks clarity on whether Futurewei operates under Chinese national security laws.