China refuses to discuss detention of 2 Canadians

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Canada wants to talk about the “arbitrary arrests” of two Canadians charged with threatening China’s national security, but Chinese officials refuse to discuss it, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday.

But it is not for lack of trying, she told a government committee.

“When it comes to my contacts with my Chinese counterparts, I have spoken on a few occasions directly with the Chinese ambassador to Canada,” Freeland said. “I would be happy at any time to have a direct conversation with Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister.

“We have been clear with the Chinese authorities that we are prepared for that conversation at any time.”

Freeland added that Canada is not the only country that has had trouble trying to engage with China, but did not mention any country by name.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained by Chinese authorities in December, shortly after Huawei CEO Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the U.S.

The tech giant executive is free on bail in Vancouver as she is currently undergoing an extradition hearing as the U.S. want her for allegedly violating American sanctions on Iran.

The two Canadians have been charged with undermining Chinese security.

Freeland said Kovrig and Spavor have shown courage in their detention, as reported by Canadian diplomats who have seen the pair about once a month since their arrests.