Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer Hikvision expressed strong opposition against the Canadian government's order to cease operations in Canada over so-called national security concerns within 120 days. The company told the Global Times that the Canadian government's move is allegedly based on a misinterpretation of China's National Security Law and National Intelligence Law and unjustly targets Hikvision due to the company's state-owned shareholding structure. The Canadian government has ordered Hikvision to cease operations in Canada, citing so-called national security concerns, Industry Minister Melanie Joly said. “Without any evidence, Canada has groundlessly accused Hikvision's operations of potentially harming its national security and demanded the closure of our Canadian subsidiary. Such actions disregard facts, lack procedural fairness and transparency and amount to discrimination and suppression of a Chinese enterprise,” the company stated.
Hikvision said that it has always adhered to business ethics, operated in full compliance with local laws and regulations and conducted its global operations lawfully. The company urged the Canadian government to uphold the rule of law and take a fact-based approach, fostering a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for global businesses, rather than acting on speculation and prejudice. The Canadian government claims that the company's operations threaten national security, but it has not identified the specific risks involved or provided any factual or analytical justification, said Zhou Mi, Senior Researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. Nor has it indicated whether these concerns could be addressed through corporate cooperation or technical solutions, and this lack of transparency suggests a high level of subjectivity and arbitrariness in enforcement, potentially undermining the broader market environment and eroding business confidence, Zhou told the Global Times.
The Chinese Embassy in Canada expressed strong opposition to and deep dissatisfaction with the Canadian government's decision, urging it to immediately correct its wrongful move.
