Extradition treaty expected to top Chinese premier’s visit to Canada
Both sides appear motivated to have formal arrangement in place but concerns over differences in legal systems remain, lawyers say
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has arrived in Canada for a trip in which he is due to meet its leader Justin Trudeau and expected to press for an extradition treaty between the two countries.
More than a quarter of China’s 100 most wanted criminals are believed to live in Canada and Beijing has been keen to expedite their handover. But Ottawa has been reluctant due to human rights concerns.
Trudeau sidestepped questions on the issue ahead of Li’s arrival on Wednesday, saying Canada would stick to high standards when deciding whether to return Chinese citizens.
Both countries appear motivated to have an extradition treaty in place
Beijing and Ottawa agreed to start discussion on a extradition treaty on September 12, one day before the release of Kevin Garratt, a Canadian charged with spying in China and held for two years. Garratt was freed on bail and returned to Vancouver last week after Trudeau raised his case during his official visit to China earlier this month. The release was reportedly a bargaining chip to pressure Ottawa into concessions before negotiations.
Christine Duhaime, a Canadian lawyer and certified financial crime specialist, expected progress on the talks, despite concerns over differences in the two judicial systems, particularly over China’s use of the death penalty.