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| China refuses to release detained Canadians, despite demands | China refuses to release detained Canadians, despite demands |
| (25 days later) | |
| China on Monday lashed out at Canada and the US for demanding the release of detained Canadians and accused Western countries of double standards. | China on Monday lashed out at Canada and the US for demanding the release of detained Canadians and accused Western countries of double standards. |
| “The Chinese side expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the statements made by Canada and the US,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a press briefing. | “The Chinese side expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the statements made by Canada and the US,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a press briefing. |
| Beijing this month detained two Canadians – the former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based businessman Michael Spavor – whom they accuse of engaging in activities that “endanger China’s security”. | Beijing this month detained two Canadians – the former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based businessman Michael Spavor – whom they accuse of engaging in activities that “endanger China’s security”. |
| Kovrig is a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group thinktank, while Spavor facilitates trips to North Korea, including visits by former basketball star Dennis Rodman. | Kovrig is a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group thinktank, while Spavor facilitates trips to North Korea, including visits by former basketball star Dennis Rodman. |
| Though no link has been officially made, the arrests came after Canada’s 1 December arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. | Though no link has been officially made, the arrests came after Canada’s 1 December arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. |
| A third Canadian, a woman named Sarah McIver, is also being held pending deportation for working illegally in China. | A third Canadian, a woman named Sarah McIver, is also being held pending deportation for working illegally in China. |
| France’s government on Monday also expressed its concern over the arrests, demanding Kovrig and Spavor were treated fairly. | France’s government on Monday also expressed its concern over the arrests, demanding Kovrig and Spavor were treated fairly. |
| “We are concerned about the arrest of two Canadian nationals in China shortly after the detention of Ms Meng Wanzhou,” French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a statement. | “We are concerned about the arrest of two Canadian nationals in China shortly after the detention of Ms Meng Wanzhou,” French foreign ministry spokeswoman Agnes von der Muhll said in a statement. |
| “We call on Chinese authorities to ensure they are treated in a fair and transparent manner and that their rights to defence are respected.” | “We call on Chinese authorities to ensure they are treated in a fair and transparent manner and that their rights to defence are respected.” |
| Canada’s foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, on Saturday called on allies for support in securing the release of the detained Canadians, adding that the arrests set a “worrying precedent” for the entire international community. | Canada’s foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, on Saturday called on allies for support in securing the release of the detained Canadians, adding that the arrests set a “worrying precedent” for the entire international community. |
| Britain, Germany and the European Union have all issued statements expressing concerns about what are believed to be tit-for-tat arrests. | Britain, Germany and the European Union have all issued statements expressing concerns about what are believed to be tit-for-tat arrests. |
| The EU said the “declared motive” for the arrest and detention of Kovrig and Spavor “raises concerns about legitimate research and business practices in China”. | The EU said the “declared motive” for the arrest and detention of Kovrig and Spavor “raises concerns about legitimate research and business practices in China”. |
| Representatives of six Berlin-based thinktanks, including the European Council for Foreign Relations and the German Marshall Fund, expressed concern about the detention of the Canadians, saying that it increased “uncertainty and distrust”. | Representatives of six Berlin-based thinktanks, including the European Council for Foreign Relations and the German Marshall Fund, expressed concern about the detention of the Canadians, saying that it increased “uncertainty and distrust”. |
| Canada demands China immediately release citizens detained in ‘retaliation’ arrests | Canada demands China immediately release citizens detained in ‘retaliation’ arrests |
| But Hua on Monday dismissed these concerns, saying the countries seem to have “different human rights standards for citizens of different countries”. | But Hua on Monday dismissed these concerns, saying the countries seem to have “different human rights standards for citizens of different countries”. |
| “What does this matter have to do with the UK or the EU? | “What does this matter have to do with the UK or the EU? |
| “Where were they when the Canadian side illegally detained Chinese business executives at the request of the US?” she added. | “Where were they when the Canadian side illegally detained Chinese business executives at the request of the US?” she added. |
| Meng has been released on bail pending the outcome of an extradition hearing. The United States – which is locked in a bruising trade war with Beijing – has accused her of violating sanctions on Iran. | Meng has been released on bail pending the outcome of an extradition hearing. The United States – which is locked in a bruising trade war with Beijing – has accused her of violating sanctions on Iran. |
| She is living under electronic surveillance in a luxury home in Vancouver, welcoming visitors daily and updating her social media page. Kovrig and Spavor have been held under more difficult conditions and denied access to lawyers. | She is living under electronic surveillance in a luxury home in Vancouver, welcoming visitors daily and updating her social media page. Kovrig and Spavor have been held under more difficult conditions and denied access to lawyers. |
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| Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
| Huawei | Huawei |
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