Chinese Embassy opposes Canada 'abusing state power' for order to halt operations of company

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Chinese Embassy in Canada expressed "firm" opposition Saturday to Ottawa "abusing state power," after a Chinese company was ordered to cease operations.

Beijing "firmly opposes any erroneous practice of overstretching the concept of national security and abusing state power to discriminate against and suppress Chinese enterprises," said a spokesperson for the embassy, according to the Global Times newspaper.

Ottawa ordered the Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer Hikvision to cease operations in Canada and close its Canadian business on national security concerns, Industry Minister Melanie Joly wrote Friday on X.

Canada also prohibited the purchase or use of Hikvision products in government departments, agencies and crown corporations.

The order has "severely harmed the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and disrupted normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Canada," said the spokesperson, while urging Ottawa to “immediately change its course, stop politicizing and over-securitizing economic and trade issues, cease its unreasonable suppression of Chinese enterprises."

China has always "encouraged Chinese enterprises to engage in overseas investment and cooperation in accordance with market principles, international rules, and local laws," said the embassy spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that Beijing will "take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises."