BUSINESS

Canada Kicks Out Chinese Surveillance-Gear Maker

Published: Jun. 30, 2025 5:07 p.m. GMT+8

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A motorist rides past Hikvision’s headquarters in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province. Photo: Bloomberg

The Canadian government has ordered Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd. (002415.SZ) to close its business in the country, saying that the Chinese surveillance-equipment maker poses a threat to national security.

Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said Saturday the decision followed a multistep review under the Investment Canada Act that assessed evidence provided by Canada’s security and intelligence community.

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Canada ordered Chinese surveillance firm Hikvision to cease operations, citing national security risks after a security review.
Government agencies are now banned from buying or using Hikvision equipment; similar scrutiny was applied previously to TikTok and Chinese mineral companies.
Hikvision, partially state-owned, denies allegations and has also faced U.S. sanctions since 2019.

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Who’s Who

China Electronics Technology HIK Group Ltd.: China Electronics Technology HIK Group Ltd. is a state-owned company and the controlling shareholder of Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., holding a 36.93% stake.

Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd.: Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd. (002415.SZ) is a Chinese surveillance-equipment maker founded in 2001, with its controlling shareholder being state-owned China Electronics Technology HIK Group Ltd. The Canadian government ordered Hikvision to close its business in Canada, citing national security threats and stating its operations would be "injurious to Canada's national security." Hikvision strongly opposes this decision, calling it discriminatory.

Hikvision Canada Inc.: Hikvision Canada Inc. has been ordered by the Canadian government to close operations due to national security concerns, making it illegal for government departments to purchase or use Hikvision equipment. The company, a subsidiary of the Chinese surveillance-equipment maker Hikvision, set up its Canadian operations in 2015. Hikvision opposes the decision, calling it discriminatory.

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What Happened When

2019：: The U.S. Department of Commerce added Hikvision to the Entity List.

2020：: The U.S. Defense Department labeled Hikvision a 'Chinese military company.'

2021：: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission ordered U.S. operators to remove Hikvision equipment deemed a threat.

2022：: The Canadian government forced three Chinese companies to divest from Canadian critical-minerals projects.

November 2024：: The Canadian government invoked the Investment Canada Act to dismantle TikTok’s local corporate entity.

2025-06-28：: Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced that the government ordered Hikvision to close its business in Canada after a multistep review under the Investment Canada Act.

2025-06-28：: The Canadian government barred all government departments, agencies, and crown corporations from buying or using Hikvision equipment.

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