June 9, 2023
1 min read

UK to remove Chinese surveillance cameras

The government pledged to publish a timeline to remove equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from its sites…reports Asian Lite News

The government is to strip Chinese surveillance cameras from its sensitive government sites over national security measures related to China.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made his stance on China clear at the G7 summit last month, saying the country posed the “biggest challenge” in the world to global security and prosperity.

The government pledged to publish a timeline to remove equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from its sites.

The government said: “By committing to this timeline, we are providing reassurance and urgency around the removal plans.”

While not naming which surveillance camera companies would be affected, the UK has previously called for sanctions on the sale and use of cameras made by Hikvision and Dahua – two partly state-owned Chinese firms, over privacy concerns and their reported involvement in human rights abuses in China.

Beijing said it “firmly opposes” using the idea of national security to hinder Chinese companies in the UK. A spokesperson for the UK’s Chinese Embassy said in a statement: “The Chinese government has always encouraged Chinese companies to conduct international investment and co-operation in accordance with market principles, international rules and local laws.

“We urge the UK side to stop political manipulation and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operation of Chinese companies in the UK.”

Hikvision, which makes a range of security equipment, said: “We believe that the possible action by the UK government is a further step up of the mounting geopolitical tensions being expressed through technology bans, which by no means relates to the security of Hikvision’s products.”

Meanwhile, three of the UK’s biggest supermarkets, including Morrisons and Tesco, have banned Chinese CCTV cameras from their stores due to security and ethical concerns.

The government also suspended Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok from its phones in March this year, while in 2020 it said it would ban Huawei from its 5G network.

ALSO READ-Sunak, Biden sign ‘Atlantic Declaration’ pact  

Previous Story

Britain to invite more Indian immigrants in coming years

Next Story

UK govt imposes new sanctions on Belarus

Latest from -Top News

Sikh Community Pays Rich Tributes to Pope 

UAE Sikh community mourns Pope Francis, honoring him as a global symbol of faith and compassion…reports Asian Lite News The Sikh community of the United Arab Emirates extends heartfelt condolences on the

India Praises UAE’s Global AI Benchmark 

Kaustubh Dhavse, Maharashtra CM’s OSD, hailed the UAE’s AI model as a global benchmark driving digital innovation and attracting global talent…reports Asia Lite News Kaustubh Dhavse, Joint Secretary and Officer on Special

Azad Moopen Pays Tribute to Pope Francis 

Dr. Moopen also noted Pope Francis’ historic 2019 visit to the UAE, a landmark moment in fostering interfaith dialogue and tolerance…reports Asian Lite News Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India, China should seek a common ground, says envoy

Sun said the two countries need to respect each other’s

UK to drop quarantine for fully jabbed EU, US travellers

A discussion on the isolation exemption is likely to be