Upgrading Australia’s communications network meant our national security experts had to get to grips with tech titan Huawei’s ties to the Chinese government. A ban would infuriate Chinese leaders. The alternative was worse.

Genocidal? Who, us? It was an extraordinary day in the annals of Australia’s national life. China’s representative in Australia opened his home to reporters on Wednesday to persuade them that the Beijing government wanted only the best for its Uighur ethnic minority in the northwestern province...