Canada’s concerns about ‘arbitrary detention’ in China not eased by virtual ambassador visit for pair
- Canada’s ambassador to China has been able to speak to Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor for the second time since coronavirus shut down visits
- Ottawa calls for pair’s immediate release but Beijing accuses Canada of ‘double standards’ relating to Huawei executive’s arrest
Canada’s ambassador to China has been allowed to speak virtually to two Canadians held on spying charges.
Canada’s foreign affairs ministry said Dominic Barton, Canada’s ambassador to China, was given “virtual consular access” to Spavor on November 10, and to Kovrig on November 19.
“The Canadian government remains deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of these two Canadians since December 2018 and continues to call for their immediate release,” a statement released on Thursday said.
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The ministry said officials “continue to provide consular services” to the men and their families.
Visits were made regularly to the pair last year, but were halted from January. China later said all consular visits had been put on hold to tamp down the spread of Covid-19.
China has responded to Canadian complaints about the pair’s treatment with accusations of “double standards”.
“What Canada has done to Meng Wanzhou is arbitrary detention,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters last month.
Meng, who is Huawei’s chief financial officer, is charged with bank fraud related to violations of US sanctions against Iran, and has been fighting extradition to the US ever since. She is living in Vancouver while she is out on bail.