A Quebec laser company acquired by a Chinese firm in 2016 is taking the federal government to court after Ottawa blocked the proposed appointment of an executive to its board on national security grounds.
The federal government imposed security-related conditions on the acquisition of CorActive High Tech Inc. in 2017, after Chinese company Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group acquired a majority stake in November 2016.
CorActive High Tech Inc. manufactures specialized fibre-laser and optical fibre technology.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly blocked the proposed appointment of Xiaokai “Denver” Zeng to CorActive’s board in June, citing concerns that sensitive technology could be transferred in ways that “benefit foreign militaries,” according to court filings. Zeng heads Han’s Laser Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of China-based Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group. Zeng became an American citizen in 2024….