HUAWEI Technologies has established a cyber security evaluation center in the United Kingdom to test hardware and software as part of a key move by the Chinese firm to expand overseas and to reassure foreign customers over security standards, China's No. 1 telecommunications equipment maker said yesterday.

The center, based in Banbury, is expected to ease national security concerns from overseas governments and help the Shenzhen-based firm to export telecom gear and equipment to foreign markets, industry insiders said.

The center will help Huawei to ensure their products meet UK government security standards, the company's statement said.

"This centre is like a glasshouse - transparent, readily accessible, and open to regulators and our customers," John Frieslaar, managing director of Huawei's new center, said in the statement.

Despite facing obstacles in overseas markets like India, Chinese firms such as ZTE and Huawei have grown rapidly in the global telecom sector in recent years.

Huawei has a security joint venture with Symantec Inc, the world's biggest Internet security provider.