Hikvision Ends Contracts in Xinjiang Region

Hikvision, the leading Chinese surveillance firm, has terminated five contracts with local governments in Xinjiang, which were started in 2017 and had entered a maintenance phase by 2018. This decision follows the inclusion of the company's subsidiaries on the U.S. Entity List, which restricts their ability to conduct business due to allegations of involvement in human rights abuses against the Uyghur population and other Muslim minorities in the region. The subsidiaries will continue to settle debts but will cease all other business activities. Hikvision has been under increased scrutiny and sanctions from the U.S. government since 2019 due to its role in high-tech surveillance linked to repression in Xinjiang. The Chinese government has consistently denied any human rights violations in the region, criticizing sanctions imposed on companies like Hikvision. Despite the challenges, Hikvision continues to expand its international operations, with a significant portion of its revenue coming from global sales.