China Detains Third Canadian

Diplomatic feud between Canada and China that started with the arrest of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou is bound to escalate further with China detaining third Canadian citizen

After the arrest of Meng on 1 December, Chinese security had earlier detained Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat and the businessman Michael Spavor, both Canadians.

Beijing has earlier threatened Canada with “grave consequences” if Meng is not freed. Meng faces extradition to the US on charges linked to fraud and violations of US sanctions on Iran.

Canadian officials offered no further information on the individual detained, citing privacy laws.

China has denied that the detention of Mr Kovrig and Mr Spavor is tied to Ms Meng’s arrest, but many analysts believe it was a tit-for-tat action.

Ms Meng has been bailed but may face extradition to the US on charges of violating American sanctions on Iran through Huawei’s business dealings.