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Last Update2025-06-29
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Event Overview
On June 27, 2025, Canada ordered Hikvision Canada Ltd., a subsidiary of Chinese firm Hikvision, to halt operations due to national security risks. The decision, announced by Industry Minister Melanie Joly, was based on intelligence agency reports. Hikvision criticized the move as unfounded and unfair, while Canada also banned government purchases of its products. The action escalates tensions with China, which condemned the decision as politically motivated.
Event Timeline
Canada Orders Hikvision to Cease Operations Citing National Security
On June 27, 2025, Canadian Minister of Industry, Melanie Joly, announced that the Canadian government has ordered Hikvision Canada Ltd., a subsidiary of the Chinese surveillance technology firm Hikvision, to cease its operations in the country due to national security concerns. Joly stated that continuing to operate would pose a risk to Canada’s national security, a decision influenced by information provided by Canadian security and intelligence agencies. The announcement did not specify how Hikvision's operations would endanger national security or explicitly mention China or the Xinjiang region, despite the company facing scrutiny over its activities in Xinjiang, which have been linked to human rights violations against the Uyghur population.
Hikvision responded by expressing strong opposition to the decision, arguing that it lacks factual basis and procedural fairness. The spokesperson criticized the Canadian government for seemingly making the decision based on geopolitical tensions rather than cybersecurity standards, calling for a fair and transparent business environment. Joly also announced that Canadian government departments and agencies would be prohibited from purchasing Hikvision products and that existing assets would be audited to ensure compliance.
The situation escalates existing tensions between Canada and China, as this action echoes similar sanctions previously imposed by the United States due to alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. The Chinese embassy in Canada expressed its dissatisfaction, claiming Canada's actions harm legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises and disrupt normal economic cooperation. They urged the Canadian government to reverse its stance and to stop politicizing economic issues under the mantle of national security. The geopolitical landscape surrounding this incident reflects growing global concerns over technology and national security, particularly regarding companies perceived to have ties to the Chinese government.