Two Canadians are being held for twelve days in China. The government in Ottawa sees this as a tit-for-tat in the case of Huawei and massively increased the pressure on Beijing. The United States, align themselves with the seamlessly.
Chinese policemen in front of the canadian Embassy in Beijing
Canada’s foreign Minister, Chrystia Freeland calls from China for the immediate release of the two Canadians. The former Diplomat Michael Kovrig and living in China business consultant Michael Spavor were on 10. December in the people’s Republic have been arrested. Two is alleged to be being involved in activities, the “national safety”. Perhaps you are but only leverage in the extradition process, the Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in the United States.
“Canada is a country in which statutory rules apply,” said Freeland. Accordingly, the proceedings against Meng Wanzhou the course of “fair, impartial and transparent”. The rule of law was “fundamental” for all free societies, the Minister said, “and we will defend this principle, and upheld”. The rule of law is the “bedrock of democracy”.
Shoulder-to-shoulder from Washington
Also, the US Ministry of foreign Affairs was addressed with an almost word for word the same statement to the Chinese government. It was “deeply concerned” about China’s approach and demanded the immediate release of the two Canadians.
The Chinese leadership calls, in turn, Mengs arrest politically motivated. Ottawa denies it, and refers to the warrant of the USA. Washington accuses the businesswoman violations of the Iran sanctions, and calls for their extradition.
Meng can move under the pads free
The chief financial officer of the Chinese Telecom giant Huawei, and daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei had been taken at the request of the United States in Canada. A court in Vancouver decided last week, Meng pending a decision on their extradition to the United States against bail.
rb/se (afp, ap, dpa)