Vancouver
In her second column examining the murder of Vancouver student Amanda Zhao, Petti Fong examines the problems posed by the international nature of the case.
The roadblocks facing the parents of Amanda Zhao in their search for answers have not just been judicial. Political, diplomatic and jurisdictional hurdles may have proved to be even bigger impediments to justice since the mainland Chinese student's murder near Vancouver in 2002.
With the prime suspect, boyfriend Ang Li, having returned to his home in China, British Columbian police have had few tools at their disposal, thanks to the lack of an extradition deal between Ottawa and Beijing.
The lack of a treaty has been highlighted in the past, most notably in the case of China's most-wanted fugitive, Lai Changxing. The alleged smuggler first surfaced in Canada nearly a decade ago but, since then, a series of courtroom challenges by his lawyers have blocked his deportation and there is no sign of a resolution that would see him bound for China any time soon.
Foreign affairs sources have said Beijing is not interested in discussing a special agreement to send Li back to Canada to face charges of second-degree murder until Canada shows a willingness to hand back Lai.
Justice has moved slowly in both cases. Zhao's mother, Yang Baoying, and father, Zhao Zisheng, say the struggle has left them in 'such extreme pain, we don't want to go on living'.