The Chinese telecommunications giant has hired lobby firm Bespoke Approach as its government affairs agency.

Mr Bolkus and Mr Downer are partners in the firm, set up in late 2007 by veteran lobbyist Ian Smith. Bespoke has a range of global companies, including Billabong, on its client roster, but importantly for Huawei the lobbyist firm also represents several resources companies with strong links in China, such as Clarke Energy, Yanzhou Coal Mining and Minmetals Australia.

"Bespoke is a good fit with us because it has some experience with other Chinese companies. And Bolkus, Downer and Ian Smith all have good global experience in dealing with governments," Huawei spokesman Jeremy Mitchell said.

According to Mr Smith, Mr Bolkus, as a former immigration minister and Mr Downer, as the nation's longest-serving foreign minister, have both worked closely with China over many years and have long-standing and trusted relationships there.

Mr Smith brings experience in government telecommunications policy, having consulted the Howard government on the Telstra T2 and T3 public floats.

Huawei is hoping the expertise of the seasoned former politicians will help to position the company ahead of the NBN Co's selection of preferred equipment suppliers.

"We had been purely a business-to-business company in the past but as we expand here and abroad we are getting more into areas where government engagement is key," Mr Mitchell said.

"With the NBN coming up and as we focus more on government deals we will need the experience that Bespoke can offer."

Bespoke will also be used to quell rumours about Huawei's alleged ties to the Chinese military.

Source:theaustralian