Canada claims 3rd citizen arrested in China

Canada says a third Canadian citizen has been detained in China, following the arrest of a Chinese telecom executive in Vancouver on December 1.

Canada’s Foreign Ministry said it was “aware of a Canadian citizen” having been detained, according to a report by Canada’s National Post newspaper on Wednesday, which cited a ministry spokesperson.

The spokesperson did not provide any details and did not imply that the detention was linked to the case of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, the Chinese national arrested in Vancouver, the report said.

Meng was arrested by Canada over the charge filed by the United States that Huawei bypassed unilateral US sanctions against Iran.

Two other Canadians are confirmed to have been arrested in China. Beijing has said the arrests are not linked to Meng’s detention.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that she was not aware of the detention reported by National Post.

On Monday, Hua said China and Canada had “smooth” consular communication on the cases of the two Canadians confirmed to have been arrested and said China had arranged consular access to both of them.

Meng was released on bail last week in Vancouver pending trial. She faces extradition to the US, whose president, Donald Trump, has controversially suggested he may use her case for bargaining in a trade war with China.

Soon after Meng’s arrest, China warned that the “safety and security” of its nationals was its “priority.”

“We will fully safeguard the legitimate rights of Chinese citizens and return fairness and justice to the world,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on December 11.

SS