The UK Government has achieved substantial progress in its ongoing efforts to remove Chinese-made Hikvision surveillance cameras from sensitive sites, with more than 50% of the devices already replaced, according to a report by the UK Defense Journal. This development follows heightened concerns over national security risks posed by Chinese technology in government buildings. A letter from Lord Coaker to Lord Alton of Liverpool outlined the steps being taken to ensure the full removal of these systems by April 2025, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The removal process, spearheaded by the Cabinet Office, comes in response to growing fears about the potential vulnerabilities associated with Chinese-made surveillance equipment, particularly as geopolitical tensions between China and the West continue to rise. The UK Government’s actions are part of a broader initiative aimed at safeguarding sensitive national infrastructure from foreign interference, especially amid ongoing concerns regarding espionage and cyber threats.
In his letter to Lord Alton, Lord Coaker emphasized the UK Government’s commitment to replacing Hikvision systems as part of a comprehensive plan to mitigate security risks linked to Chinese technology. “Work is pressing ahead to remove the remaining devices,” he stated, reiterating the government’s ambition to replace 70% of the remaining surveillance equipment by autumn 2024. He assured that only a small fraction of sensitive sites had ever deployed such systems, and most have now replaced the devices.
According to Lord Coaker, the government is collaborating with national technical authorities, including the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), to address the vulnerabilities posed by Chinese technology. These agencies play a crucial role in providing guidance and oversight to ensure that sensitive government data and assets are protected from potential cyber-attacks or foreign espionage.
The UK Government’s concerns about the security risks posed by Chinese technology are not limited to surveillance cameras. Lord Coaker’s letter also addressed potential national security vulnerabilities in electric and connected vehicles, particularly those manufactured in China. While much of the public discourse has focused on Chinese-made technology, Lord Coaker clarified that these risks are linked to specific on-board systems and are not exclusive to Chinese or electric models.
“The potential national security risks apply to specific on-board systems, and therefore, these risks are not exclusive to Chinese-made vehicles or electric vehicles,” Lord Coaker explained. This statement reflects the government’s broader concerns about the integration of foreign-made technology into critical systems that could be exploited by adversarial actors for espionage or sabotage.
The UK’s stance on Chinese-made technology has been reinforced by recent geopolitical events. In April 2023, two individuals were charged under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly sharing classified information with the Chinese government. This case followed a series of incidents in which Chinese intelligence services were suspected of targeting British officials, raising alarm about Beijing’s espionage activities within the UK.
As part of its efforts to address the evolving threat landscape, the UK Government is engaging in international cooperation to enhance vehicle cybersecurity. Lord Coaker noted that the Department for Transport is co-chairing the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) group responsible for vehicle cybersecurity regulations. These regulations aim to safeguard vehicles from cyber threats by enforcing rigorous standards on construction, threat monitoring, and response mechanisms.
This international collaboration reflects the UK’s recognition of the global nature of cybersecurity challenges, particularly as vehicles become more connected and reliant on software systems. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in vehicles could potentially be exploited to disrupt critical infrastructure, posing significant risks to national security.
Hikvision, the world’s largest manufacturer of CCTV cameras, has been at the center of the UK Government’s decision to ban Chinese-made surveillance equipment at sensitive sites. The company, which is partly state-owned through the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, has faced intense scrutiny over its potential links to the Chinese government’s intelligence operations.
Under China’s National Intelligence Law, companies like Hikvision are legally required to assist the country’s intelligence services upon request, raising significant concerns in Western nations. The law has stoked fears that Chinese-made surveillance equipment could be used to collect data on sensitive government operations, which could then be transmitted to Beijing.
In 2022, the UK Government formally banned the use of Hikvision cameras at sensitive sites, citing security risks. Departments were instructed not only to halt the installation of such equipment but also to disconnect existing devices from core networks. The removal of Hikvision technology from these sites is being prioritized as part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce its reliance on foreign technology that could be exploited for espionage purposes.
Lord Coaker underscored the urgency of this process, stating that the government remains firmly committed to ensuring that all such devices are removed by the April 2025 deadline. The replacement of over 50% of Hikvision systems to date demonstrates significant progress, but efforts continue to ensure full compliance across all affected sites.
While Hikvision has denied any involvement in espionage or the transmission of data to the Chinese government, the company has faced accusations of human rights abuses. It has been linked to surveillance operations in Xinjiang, where the Chinese government is accused of overseeing a campaign of repression against the Uyghur Muslim minority.
International human rights organizations have alleged that Hikvision technology was used to monitor Uyghur populations in Xinjiang’s “re-education camps,” where many Uyghurs are reportedly detained and subjected to forced labor and indoctrination. Hikvision has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that it complies with global human rights standards.
Despite these controversies, Hikvision’s business in the UK has continued to grow. Recent financial filings revealed that the company’s direct sales to customers in the UK and Ireland more than doubled in 2023, reaching £32.6 million. This figure represents a significant increase from the previous year’s sales, suggesting that demand for Hikvision’s products remains robust despite the government’s ban on their use in sensitive sites.
Overall, the company’s total revenue from the UK and Ireland, including both direct sales and technical support, rose by 22% to £50.8 million in 2023. This growth occurred despite the government’s warnings about the security risks posed by Hikvision’s technology, illustrating the complex relationship between commercial demand and national security concerns.
The UK is not alone in its efforts to curtail the use of Chinese surveillance technology. In 2019, the United States placed Hikvision and several other Chinese firms on a trade blacklist, barring them from accessing US technology. The decision was driven by concerns that Hikvision’s products could be used for espionage and by its alleged involvement in human rights violations in Xinjiang.
The US Government’s actions set a precedent for other Western nations to reconsider their reliance on Chinese-made surveillance equipment. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have followed suit, introducing measures to limit the use of Chinese technology in critical infrastructure.
The growing scrutiny of Hikvision reflects broader concerns about the role of Chinese technology in global surveillance networks. As Western nations become more vigilant about safeguarding their national security interests, the push to remove Chinese-made technology from sensitive government sites is likely to intensify.
