LettersEnd of Meng Wanzhou saga brings hope of a fresh start for China and Canada

Readers react to the release of Huawei’s chief financial officer from detention in Canada, and Australia reneging on its submarine deal with France in favour of Aukus

Meng Wanzhou

Letters

Published: 12:30am, 29 Sep, 2021

Why you can trust SCMP

The family of senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and her family must be celebrating a late mid-autumn reunion after a judge ordered her release from custody in Canada on September 24.

Meng signed a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice, in which she admits wrongdoing but not guilt. The charges against Meng are likely to be dropped on December 1, 2022, if she abides by the terms of the deal.

On her flight home, Meng expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government, which played a role in negotiating her release, and to her supporters in China. She received a hero’s welcome when she arrived in Shenzhen on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who were charged and tried for espionage in China, were released and allowed to fly to Canada on the same day as Meng.

Last week, Justin Trudeau won a third term as Canadian prime minister. Traditionally, Canada and China have been firm trade partners, share many common interests and have had few conflicts. In fact, China was one of the main importers of Canadian pork and beef. Trudeau should lead Canada towards restoring trust with China soon, focusing on trade.

Canada and China can achieve a win-win harmony if both countries take the initiative to overcome the misunderstandings of the past three years.

China could stand as an ally to Canada, while Canada should not place itself in the US’ shadow, but welcome new friends while keeping its existing circle of friends in the loop. Canada should not have to choose between the US and China.

Perhaps Meng’s release can trigger a new start in China-Canada relations.

K.K. Chu, Ho Man Tin

Australia may pay high price for snubbing France

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently cancelled an A$90 billion (US$66 billion) deal with France to build a fleet of submarines, choosing to acquire nuclear submarine technology from the United States instead.

France, not surprisingly, sees this as a betrayal. The European Union has backed France in the dispute. Australia should remember that France will be the president of the Council of the EU in 2022.

Not only is Morrison’s decision straining ties with the EU, but it is also a blow to Australia’s reputation and will deepen the Sino-American chasm. Why would Australia put itself in this position?

There is no immediate threat to Australia’s survival. Perhaps it sees China as a threat, but it is unlikely that China will mobilise troops against Australia.

If the deal was meant to defend freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, the US, UK and Japan are at the forefront of this, and Australia will find itself watching from the sidelines.

The only conceivable reason for the nuclear submarine deal might be to signify the cementing of US-Australia relations under the new Aukus alliance. This does not seem like good enough reason for Australia to renege on the deal with France.

Randy Lee, Ma On Shan

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