This is an interesting quote and analysis, especially since it comes from SCMP, the Hong Kong-based paper which is one of the most respected in Asia, "ZTE MESS SHOWS NEED TO CHANGE THE ‘CHINESE WAY OF DOING BUSINESS’", key quote:
The ZTE debacle should serve as a timely warning for all Chinese companies of the urgency and importance of taking concrete steps to introduce tight corporate compliance guidelines, particularly at a time when Chinese firms are making aggressive overseas investments following Beijing’s decision to launch the Belt and Road infrastructure initiative from Asia to Africa.
More importantly, this should highlight the sore need to change “the Chinese way of doing business”, which often ignores ethics, laws and regulations in pursuit of profits.
ZTE is the classic case of reaping what it sows.
It has interesting parallels for the video surveillance industry, especially with Hikvision and, e.g., their duplicitous tactics of denying their government ownership and control. One thing that article makes clear, that may be less obvious to Western industry people, is that ZTE behavior reflects People Republic of China (PRC) business norms which conflict with Western 'ways of doing business', where ethics and law are more stringently upheld.