China Charges Two Detained Canadians With Espionage

Daily Mail: China charges two Canadians with spying in retaliation for arrest of Huawei executive

* China has charged Ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor
* The two men are 'suspected of foreign espionage' and 'providing state secrets'
* They were arrested shortly after Canada arrested Huawei exec Meng Wanzhou
* Charges come weeks after a judge ruled Meng's extradition to the U.S. will go ahead to face trial for Huawei's alleged violations of U.S. Iran sanctions

China has formally charged two Canadians with spying, officials said on Friday, more than 18 months after they were arrested in a spat between Beijing and Ottawa.

The pair were detained shortly after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada on a US warrant, in what is widely believed to have been a retaliatory move from China.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate said Friday it has begun the prosecution of ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor, who were 'suspected of foreign espionage' and 'providing state secrets'.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: China waited until after Canada lost the vote for a Security Council seat earlier this week to levy these charges. A Security Council seat that I can assure my Canadian friends that China lobbied very hard to make sure that Canada did not win.

More News On China Charging Two Detained Canadians With Espionage

Trudeau says he's 'disappointed' after China charges two Canadians with spying -- CBC
China charges 2 Canadians with spying in Huawei-linked case -- AP
China charges two detained Canadians with spying, 18 months after arrest -- France 24
China charges two detained Canadians with suspected espionage, Trudeau 'very disappointed' -- Reuters
Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor: China charges Canadians with spying -- BBC
China charges Canadians with spying amid stand-off over fate of arrested Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou -- ABC News Online
China charges two detained Canadians with alleged espionage -- The Guardian
China moves ahead with prosecution of Canadians Kovrig and Spavor on spying charges -- SCMP
China charges two Canadians with espionage -- UPI
China charges two Canadians with spying -- DW
China starts prosecutiing two Canadians held on spying charges -- Al Jazeera
Two Canadians held for a year by China remain 'resilient' -- BBC

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Has Two Mortgages With State-Run Bank of China

WNU Editor: Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne has two registered residential mortgages with the state-owned Bank of China in London. Mr. Champagne, who was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, bought two apartments in London – one in in 2009 and one in 2013 – while he was an executive with Amec Foster Wheeler PLC, the British multinational construction and engineering giant.

The opposition, with some justification, are claiming this opens him to ”personal financial vulnerability” at a time when relations with Beijing are at a standstill over the illegal detention of two Canadians, and China's response to the pandemic. But what I find disturbing about this news report is that with the exception of the Globe and Mail that broke this story (behind a paywall) .... Foreign Affairs Minister has two mortgages with state-run Bank of China (Globe and Mail), no one else in the Canadian media is covering it. Even during this morning's press conference with PM Justin Trudeau, not one question was brought up on this issue. This stands in stark contrast to the Canadian media's overwhelming coverage in the past few years over claims that President Trump owes money to Russian banks .... U.S. Supreme Court hears momentous cases involving access to Trump tax, business records (CBC/Reuters). Is there a double standard at play .... you betcha.

Update: Here is an example on how the Canadian media wants to portray Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne .... The smiley, friendly, cunning François-Philippe Champagne (Macleans). Talk about over the top "puff" pieces.

Update #2: This analysis is true. Canadians do not have a favourable view of China .... Even the Nicest Country in the World Doesn’t Like China (Therese Shaheen, National Review).

Huawei Executive Meng Wanzhou Loses Her Bid To Have The U.S. Extradition Case Against Her In Canada Thrown Out

SCMP: Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou loses bid for freedom as Canadian judge decides US extradition case must continue

* Judge rules that the US fraud charges against Meng satisfy the ‘double criminality’ rule for extradition cases
* Meng’s lawyers will continue to fight against her extradition on other grounds

Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has lost a bid to have the extradition case against her thrown out, with a Canadian judge instead ruling on Wednesday that the US charges against her meet a key condition and the hearings must continue.

Justice Heather Holmes of British Columbia’s Supreme Court ruled that the fraud charges against Meng satisfied the extradition requirement of “double criminality”, which demands that suspects be accused of something that would constitute a crime in Canada as well as in the requesting country.

“On the question of law posed, I conclude that, as a matter of law, the double criminality requirement for extradition is capable of being met in this case,” Associate Chief Justice Holmes wrote in her judgment.

Meng’s lawyers will continue to fight against her extradition on other grounds.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Meng Wanzhou is going to launch an appeal. But this is a major loss for her. I would not be surprised if she is extradited to the U.S. by next year. I also expect China will be retaliating against Canada for this ruling.

More News On Huawei Executive Meng Wanzhou Losing Her Bid To Have The U.S. Extradition Case Against Her Thrown Out

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou loses major court battle as B.C. judge rules extradition bid should proceed -- CBC
B.C. judge finds double criminality in Huawei case; extradition process continues for Meng Wanzhou -- CTV News
Huawei CFO Meng loses key court argument in fight against extradition to United States -- Reuters
Meng Wanzhou: Huawei executive suffers US extradition blow -- BBC
Canadian court rules against Huawei exec fighting extradition -- AFP
The case to extradite Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou from Canada to the United States can continue, judge rules -- CNN
Timeline: Key events in Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's extradition case -- Reuters
Explainer: What happens next in Huawei CFO's U.S. extradition case -- Reuters

Is Canada 'Bowing' To China

People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig during a court appearance by Huawei’s financial chief, Meng Wanzhou, outside the B.C. Supreme Court building in Vancouver on May 8, 2019. Lindsey Wasson/Reuters

Derek H. Burney, National Post: It's hard for Canada to stand up to China while it's bowing

The litany of apologies and obsequiousness by Canada is one that only a lickspittle would salute.

Canada seems to be adopting a “see no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil” attitude on relations with China. The question is, to what end? Is it because of our overweening desire to win a two-year seat on the UN Security Council — a prize of dubious distinction given the unremarkable track record of the council in recent years that has featured more gridlock than action due to the chronic conflict between the veto-carrying Russia and China and most of the others. Should we win a seat, what would Canada do on a controversy which divides the two authoritarian powers from our allies — the U.S., the U.K. and France, among others? Abstain, a weaselly option used occasionally in the past by Canadian governments on biased resolutions directed at Israel?

We are presumably currying not only China’s vote but also China’s influence on several African states that have received generous dollops of economic assistance from Beijing. It is demeaning to wheedle this way for support in any circumstance.

The second motivation cited is that Canada does not want to jeopardize the fate of the two Michaels (Kovrig and Spavor) who were essentially kidnapped and have held in stark detention for more than 500 days in retaliation for Canada’s intention to extradite to the U.S. Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the founder of Huawei, in accordance with the terms of our bilateral extradition treaty with the Americans.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Truly unbelievable. The sad part of this Canadian effort to "accommodate" China is that I know they will not succeed. As I stated in this 2016 commentary, China does not respect Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and this is why .... China's Foreign Minister Demanded A Meeting With Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau (And He Got It!!!!) (June 3, 2016). You can take this to the bank, when China's leadership does not respect you, you will never get anything from them (unless you give them something big).

Update: This is another reason why the Canada government under Trudeau do not want to aggravate ties with China .... Former Canadian Ambassador Urges China To Ease Up On Trudeau As The Best Way Of Keeping The Liberals In Power (July 11, 2019).

China Responds To Alberta Premier Jason Kenney's Call For 'A Reckoning' With China Over The COVID-19 Pandemic

pic.twitter.com/92QzurBOvR

— Chinese Consulate General in Calgary (@ChinaCGCalgary) May 15, 2020

National Post: China hits back at Alberta Premier Jason Kenney after he called for a 'reckoning'

'If Mr. Premier did not deliberately turn his head away, these facts and evidence are presenting themselves crystal clearly before his eyes'

EDMONTON — The Chinese consulate in Calgary has hit back at Jason Kenney after the Alberta premier called for “a reckoning” with China over the COVID-19 pandemic.

The consulate in Calgary accused Kenney of criticizing China to please U.S. President Donald Trump and said there was a “large body of facts and data” proving China did not downplay or obfuscate the damaging effects of the novel coronavirus.

“If Mr. Premier did not deliberately turn his head away, these facts and evidence are presenting themselves crystal clearly before his eyes,” a statement posted to Twitter said. “If there is a comparison between what he has done during the outbreak with what Wuhan has, he will not look smarter.”

“However,” the statement continued, “we disdain to bring the details up, because attacking Mr. Premier was never one of our goals.”

Read more ....

Update #1: China hits back after Jason Kenney says the country is due for a 'great reckoning' (CBC)
Update #2: Canadian Premier Said China Mishandled Coronavirus, Then China Sniped Back Big Time (Newsweek)

WNU Editor: Public sentiment in Canada is now very hostile towards the Chinese government. A poll in Canada finds 4 in 5 Canadians dislike and distrust China .... Canadian opinions of China reach new low (Angus Reid Institute).

China Issues Warning To Canada That There Will Be Dire Consequences If Canada Follows U.S. Lead On Hong Kong

China's new ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu attends a news conference for a small group of reporters at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, Canada November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Blair Gable

Reuters: China envoy warns of 'very bad damage' if Canada follows U.S. lead on Hong Kong

OTTAWA (Reuters) - China’s new ambassador to Canada on Friday warned Ottawa not to follow the U.S. lead and formally back protesters in Hong Kong, saying such a move would cause “very bad damage” to already poor ties with Beijing.

Canada, locked in a trade and diplomatic dispute with China, has repeatedly expressed concern about the safety of its 300,000 citizens in Hong Kong, hit by five months of mass demonstrations for more democracy and autonomy.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed two bills to back the protesters and send a warning to China about human rights.

“If somebody here really tries to ... have this kind of law like that in the United States, it’s very dangerous,” said Chinese envoy Cong Peiwu, speaking in English.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Canada's parliament is not in session, and I do not see the Canadian government passing any resolution/bill like what one that the U.S. Congress passed this week anytime soon. And speaking of that Congressional bill on Hong Kong, China is demanding (yes they issued a demand) that President Trump vetoes it .... China demands Trump veto bills on Hong Kong (ABC News/AP). LOL .... DEMANDS!!!!

Why Did Canada Send A Team To China's Military World Games?

The Wuhan Sports Center

Matthew Fisher, Global News: Why did Canada send a team to the Military World Games in China?

What was Canada doing sending 171 Canadian soldiers to China to participate in a military sports competition last week?

It was nearly one year ago that Beijing kidnapped two Canadian citizens. It still holds them hostage as leverage in its dispute with Ottawa over the detention of a Huawei executive who awaits a hearing to decide if she should be extradited to the U.S. to face criminal charges there.

Was the trip to China a colossal error of judgment by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces? Or were DND and the CAF acting on orders from Global Affairs Canada and/or the prime minister’s inner circle?

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Now is not the time for Canada to cozy up to China, especially since China is holding two Canadians unjustly. And as for Canada's participation in these games. It is revealing that this was completely kept under wraps with few if any pictures published.

Chinese Embassy tells Canada to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs

CBC: Chinese Embassy tells Canada to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs

Canada issued joint statement with EU defending right to protest for Hong Kongers

China's embassy in Ottawa told Canada on Sunday to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs a day after the country issued a joint statement with the European Union in defence of the "fundamental right of assembly" for Hong Kong citizens.

Hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters rallied peacefully in Hong Kong on Sunday in the 11th week of what have been often violent demonstrations in the Asian financial hub.

On the eve of Sunday's rally, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement: "Fundamental freedoms, including the right of peaceful assembly ... must continue to be upheld."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: There are 300,000 Chinese-Canadians in Hong Kong. The Chinese are also warning the EU .... China issues cold warning to Canada and the EU over Hong Kong - ‘Stop meddling!’ (Express).

More News On China Warning Canada To Not Interfere In Hong Kong

Chinese embassy tells Canada to stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs -- Reuters
China tells Canada to stop meddling after Freeland condemns Hong Kong violence -- National Post/Canadian Press
China warns Canada to stop meddling in Hong Kong -- AP
Beijing Warns Ottawa Against Meddling in 'Hong Kong, China's Internal Affairs' - Embassy -- Sputnik

Two-Thirds Of Canadians Reject Closer Ties To China. Want Huawei Banned From 5G Network

People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. Photo: Reuters

SCMP: Two-thirds of Canadians reject closer ties to China and want Huawei banned from 5G networks, poll says

* People’s perceptions of China have ‘deteriorated markedly’, pollster says
* Almost three-quarters of Canadians support government’s handling of Meng Wanzhou case

Canadians’ attitudes towards China and Huawei have worsened substantially in recent months, with more than two-thirds now rejecting closer ties with Beijing, and a similar proportion wanting Huawei banned from Canadian 5G networks, according to a survey.

The poll, conducted from July 6 to 9 by Research Co, also found increasing support for Canada’s handling of the case of Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei executive whose arrest in December at Vancouver’s airport sent Sino-Canadian relations plummeting.

Meng was detained at the request of US authorities, who are seeking her extradition on fraud and obstruction charges.

The poll was conducted among 1,000 adults in Canada, statistically weighted according to census figures for age, gender and region. It was not weighted for ethnicity.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Canadian government has deferred any major decision on China until after elections this October.

Another Canadian Citizen Detained In China

National Post: Canadian citizen detained in China: Global Affairs

The department says officials have provided consular services to the person in custody.

OTTAWA — Global Affairs Canada says a Canadian citizen has been detained in Yantai, China.

The department says officials have provided consular services to the person in custody.

It said in an email statement on Friday that it could not release any other details about the Canadian’s detention because of provisions of the Privacy Act.

Global Affairs would not comment on whether the detention is related to the detention by Chinese police of seven foreign teachers and nine foreign students on drug allegations in eastern China.

Read more ....

More News On Another Canadian Citizen Detained In China

Canadian citizen detained in China, Global Affairs confirms -- CTV News
Another Canadian detained in China amid diplomatic chill -- AP
Amid ongoing diplomatic tensions, Canada says China has detained another of its citizens -- SCMP/Reuters
China detains another Canadian citizen amid diplomatic tension -- DW

Former Canadian Ambassador Urges China To Ease Up On Trudeau As The Best Way Of Keeping The Liberals In Power

So the Former Ambassador to China tells the Chinese government that Trudeau’s govt will be “friendlier” to them than a Scheer CPC govt and he’d appreciate some “help” before the election. I swear this was a Veep episode this year. https://t.co/76Qx1VWxeH

— Lisa Raitt (@lraitt) July 10, 2019

SCMP: Beijing should avoid ‘punishing’ Canada over Huawei case, cautions Ottawa’s ex-ambassador to China

* Further curbs may bolster rise of new government unfavourable to Beijing, says Canada’s former ambassador to China, John McCallum
* Expect Beijing-Ottawa relations to normalise ahead of 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, McCallum says

Canada’s former ambassador to China, sacked because of remarks he made in the wake of Huawei’s high-profile extradition case, said he has warned former contacts at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that any further “punishments” imposed on Canada’s exports could lead to a change of government that is unfavourable to Beijing.

“Anything that is more negative against Canada will help the Conservatives, [who] are much less friendly to China than the Liberals,” John McCallum, a veteran Liberal Party member, told the South China Morning Post in an interview in Hong Kong on Monday.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This former senior Liberal politician and former ambassador has put Prime Minister Trudeau's government on the defensive .... John McCallum puts Liberals on the defensive again with advice to China (CBC). This is beyond disgusting. They should repudiate him immediately.

Update: They have thrown him under the bus .... 'McCallum does not speak for Canada': Freeland repudiates ex-ambassador who implied China should help elect Liberals (National Post).

China Tells Canada To Not Be 'Naive'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping listen to opening remarks at a plenary session at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan on Friday June 28, 2019. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

CBC: China warns Canada not to be 'naive' in thinking allies can help fix issues

Trudeau 'confident' Trump raised case of 2 detained Canadians in talks with Xi Jinping.

China has warned Canada not to be "naive" in thinking that the U.S. can help smooth over issues between the two countries.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Tuesday that he was "confident" U.S. President Donald Trump brought up the case of the two detained Canadians during talks with China's Xi Jinping.

Trump said on Saturday he did not talk with Xi about the extradition case against Huawei telecommunications executive Meng Wanzhou during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan.

Read more ....

Update #1: China scolds Canada for ‘mustering so-called allies’ on detainees (Global News)
Update #2: China warns 'naive' Canada not to count on the US (CNA/AFP)

WNU Editor: As this blog stated bluntly on Saturday during the G20 Summit, the Trudeau - Xi talk was a bust .... Canadian Government Officials Are Saying That Prime Minister Trudeau And President Xi Had 'Positive' Discussions (June 28, 2019).

Canadian Government Officials Are Saying That Prime Minister Trudeau And President Xi Had 'Positive' Discussions

Reuters: Canada's Trudeau, Xi had 'positive' discussions as dispute rages: Ottawa

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping had “positive, constructive interactions” on the sidelines of the G20 summit on Friday as a dispute between the two countries rages, Trudeau’s office said.

Trudeau spoke “more than once” to Xi during a meeting of the Group of 20 leading economies in Osaka, Japan, said an official in Trudeau’s office, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

The contact between the two leaders was the first since diplomatic and trade relations turned icy last December after Canadian police arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant.

Video footage from the meeting showed Trudeau and Xi speaking briefly through interpreters before shaking hands.

Read more ....

Update: Trudeau has 'brief, constructive interactions' with Chinese President Xi Jinping at G20 (CBC)

WNU Editor: The Prime Minister's office is saying that the discussions were positive and constructive. My Chinese contacts are telling me that Prime Minister Trudeau approached President Xi, and wanted to discuss the issues that are causing problems between the two countries. But President Xi was not interested to pursue it further.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau And Chinese President Xi Sat Together At G20 Luncheon, But Did Not Shake Hands Or Look At Each Other

Global Times: Justin Trudeau sits with Chinese president Xi Jinping at G20 luncheon

The Canadian and Chinese leaders, embattled in a diplomatic dispute, sat side by side on the first day of the G20 summit but appeared to pay each other no mind.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping were seated together during the Leaders Working Lunch in Osaka, Japan, on Friday thanks to alphabetical seating.

The two did not shake hands or look at each other, according to Global News reporter Mercedes Stephenson, and did not engage throughout the meeting.

Read more ....

Update: Trudeau has 'brief, constructive interactions' with Chinese President Xi Jinping at G20 (CBC).

WNU Editor: The Canadian Prime Minister's office is saying that Trudeau and Xi had a number of constructive interactions during the conference .... Trudeau has 'brief, constructive interactions' with Chinese President (CTV). But my friends in China are saying that aside from a greet and meet interaction that lasted about 5 seconds, both leaders have stayed away from each other. Judging by the above video, I think my Chinese contacts are right.

Canadian Warship Buzzed By Chinese Fighters In The East China Sea

The Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate Regina arriving at Naval Base San Diego on Jan. 11. (Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Hector Carrera/Navy)

CTV: China fighters buzz Canada warship in East China Sea: report

A report says two Chinese fighter jets buzzed a Canadian warship operating in international waters in the East China Sea at a time of heightened tension between Beijing and Ottawa.

Canadian Global Affairs Institute fellow Matthew Fisher wrote that the Su-30 fighters flew within 300 metres of the bow of the frigate HMCS Regina.

Fisher, who was aboard the ship, said that although the display was more aggressive than previous encounters between the Canadian Navy and Chinese warplanes, it was not considered dangerous.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The Chinese are steamed about this .... Canadian navy ships sailed through Taiwan strait amid tension with China (Reuters).

More News On Reports That A Canadian Warship Was Buzzed By Chinese Fighters In The East China Sea

Canadian warships buzzed by Chinese fighter jets in international waters -- Global News/Canadian Press
Report: China fighters buzz Canada warship in East China Sea -- AP
Chinese jets 'buzz' Canadian ships in Taiwan Strait, adding new layer to dispute -- BNN Bloomberg

Will Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Meet Chinese President Xi At The G20 To Resolve Numeorus Bilateral Disputes?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau leaves the stage beside Chinese President Xi Jinping following the APEC leaders' official photograph in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Nov. 17, 2018. The two could meet at the G20 in Osaka later this month. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

iPolitics: Trudeau intends to raise meat imports, case of detained Canadians if he meets with Xi Jinping at G20: source

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intends to raise the issue of the yesterday’s suspension of Canadian meat imports by China with President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit this week.

A Canadian official not authorized to speak on the record told iPolitics that Trudeau wants raise the issue with the Chinese leader if he has the chance to speak to him, either in a bilateral meeting or informally.

No one-on-one meeting between the leaders of Canada and China has been scheduled yet, although the source noted that such a thing would typically be finalized the day of. The two figures, as well as other global leaders, are travelling to Osaka, Japan, for this year’s G20 event.

Read more ....

Update: Trudeau seeks support from allies at G20 amid China-Canada dispute (City News)

WNU Editor: The Canadian Prime Minister's office has been pushing for such a meeting for weeks .... Trudeau looks to meet with Chinese president at G20 (CBC). I know that the Canadian Prime Minister is not going to get his meeting. To put it bluntly, the Chinese do not respect the Prime Minister, as I pointed out in this post three years ago .... China's Foreign Minister Demanded A Meeting With Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau (And He Got It!!!!) (June 3, 2016), and the unofficial Chinese government policy right now is to "snub him" .... China Is Snubbing Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau (June 13, 2019). But there are opportunities for Prime Minister Trudeau to talk to President Xi at the G20. Leaders always have the opportunity to approach other leaders at the G20 outside the conference hall during breaks. That is actually where a lot of good diplomacy and discussions take place. I know that President Xi is not going to approach Prime Minister Trudeau, but will Prime Minister Trudeau take the initiative to approach President Xi? I would advise him to do so, but my bet is that he will not.

China Is Snubbing Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau

SCMP/AFP: China snubbed Justin Trudeau’s request for talks to free detained Canadians

* Canadian PM asked for call with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in January to ‘personally advocate’ for immediate release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor
* Beijing has placed the blame entirely on Canada, asking that Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou be released ‘immediately’

Canada should take the “entire responsibility” for a spiralling diplomatic row, China said Thursday, after Ottawa said Beijing had spurned a request for dialogue.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated since December when police in Vancouver detained Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou on a US arrest warrant.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Analysis correct .... Beijing suggests its snub of Canada will continue until Meng Wanzhou is released (CBC).

Update: Relations are getting worse .... China issues warning after Canada raises concerns over planned extradition law (CBC).

More News On China Snubbing Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau

Trudeau asked to speak directly to China’s premier about detained Canadians: PMO -- Global News
China takes snubbing Canada to the next level with a cold shoulder for Trudeau -- Macleans
What grovelling offer should Canada make to China? -- Father Raymond J. de Souza, National Post

Chinese Spy Ring Busted In Canada

McGill University

Epoch Times: Canadian Prof Accused of Stealing Technology for China Had Funding From Ottawa in Same Period: Report

A McGill University professor accused of involvement in a years-long scheme to steal U.S. technology for China’s military received hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding from Ottawa during the same period, a report by La Presse says.

Last year, the FBI arrested American citizens Yi-Chi Shih and Kiet Ahn Mai on charges of scheming to steal military technology from an American company to export to China. Yi-Chi Shih’s brother, Ishiang Shih, a Canadian professor teaching electrical engineering at McGill University, is also suspected of helping in the scheme.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I live in Montreal and I have friends who work at McGill. Two things about this story struck me. One .... this alleged Chinese spy received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Canadian government to do research. And two .... the English press in Canada has totally avoided this story. My guess is that the Canadian government and the national press do not want to stir up even more trouble with China because of this .... Canada Sends A Delegation To China To Press The Release Of Its Citizens (May 22, 2019).

China Warns Canada There Are Consequences If They Side With The U.S.

Reuters: China hopes Canada understands consequences of siding with U.S.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China hopes Canada understands the consequences of siding with the United States and doing its bidding, China’s foreign ministry said on Friday, after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence called for the release of two Canadians detained in China.

Chinese authorities detained Canadian businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig in December, shortly after Canada arrested China-based Huawei Technologies Co Ltd’s Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, on a U.S. warrant.

She faces extradition to the United States on charges she conspired to defraud global banks about Huawei’s relationship with a company operating in Iran. She and the company have denied the charges and China has called for her release.

Asked about Pence comments that U.S. President Donald Trump would speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the detained Canadians at a G20 meeting in Japan in June, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang implied Canada was to blame for its problems in China.

Read more ....

Update #1: China tells Canada of 'consequences' of helping US (FOX News/AP)
Update #2: China warns Canada against siding with US in trade war (The Hill)

WNU Editor: No Canadian response yet to this Chinese threat.

Canada Sends A Delegation To China To Press The Release Of Its Citizens

Reuters: Canada sends delegation to China to press for release of citizens

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to China to press for the release of two Canadian citizens formally arrested for espionage last week, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Tuesday.

Businessman Michael Spavor, who worked with North Korea, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were picked up separately in December, shortly after Canada arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States.

Canada has condemned the detentions as “arbitrary”, while China has repeatedly demanded Meng be released. Freeland, in an interview with CBC radio, said she sought “repeatedly” to speak with her Chinese counterpart, but to no avail.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is a low level Canadian delegation. The Chinese are not going to take it seriously. So why send them in the first place? It is all for show. As to what do the Chinese want? They want  Canada to immediately release Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou.