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Canadian Michael Spavor detained in China as Huawei row continues
A second Canadian has been detained in China on accusations of harming national security, as tension continues between the two countries. It was confirmed on Thursday that Michael Spavor, a businessman, had been detained in addition to former diplomat Michael Kovrig.
Canada drew Chinese protests after it arrested an executive at telecoms giant Huawei at the request of the US. Meng Wanzhou has been bailed but may face extradition for fraud.
[...] Michael Spavor is a businessman based in Dandong, near the Chinese border with North Korea. He has ties to the North Korean government and has met its leader Kim Jong-un many times.
Ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig currently works for a think tank, the International Crisis Group (ICG), which has said it is concerned for his health and safety. He is being held officially "on suspicion of engaging in activities that harm China's state security".
However, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, suggested another reason, saying the ICG had not been registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in China and therefore it was unlawful for its staff to work there. Checks by Reuters news agency did not turn up a registration for ICG on government databases for NGOs or social enterprises.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland has said Mr Kovrig's case was raised directly with Chinese officials.
The article has a photo of Spavor standing with Dennis Rodman.
Previously: Canada Arrests Huawei's Global Chief Financial Officer in Vancouver
Arrest of Huawei Executive Causing Discontent Among Chinese Elites
China Arrests Former Canadian Diplomat; Chinese Companies Ban iPhones, Require Huawei Phones
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 14 2018, @05:16AM (15 children)
Canada is a loser, a country of losers.
Also, Air Canada is garbage.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 14 2018, @05:30AM (13 children)
(Score: 5, Informative) by jimtheowl on Friday December 14 2018, @05:40AM (4 children)
(Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 14 2018, @05:51AM (3 children)
The US definitely isn't - if you're well connected, you'll have your contacts sort things out on an airport runway or whatever, like Hillary did, and get off scott free.
We all know that the law in China is whatever the Communist Party wants.
If Canada wants to play "following the rule of law", they'll get slapped down like a kid would if he meddled in an argument between adults.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by jimtheowl on Friday December 14 2018, @06:03AM (2 children)
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 14 2018, @07:07AM
Truth hurts
(Score: 3, Interesting) by realDonaldTrump on Friday December 14 2018, @01:32PM
"It’s curious why Hillary Clinton’s name isn’t in the mix -- either conversationally or in formal polling -- as a 2020 candidate. She’s younger than Donald Trump by a year. She's younger than Joe Biden by four years. Is it that she’s run before? This would be Bernie Sanders's second time, and Biden’s third time. Is it lack of support? She had 65 million people vote for her." Crooked's Senior Advisor Philippe Reines.
I was recently asked if Crooked Hillary Clinton is going to run in 2020? My answer was, "I hope so!"
(Score: 2, Interesting) by khallow on Friday December 14 2018, @06:11AM (7 children)
Why is it to your satisfaction to let a rich person get away with fraud?
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 14 2018, @09:36AM (6 children)
Are allegations already established facts in your mind?
Fraud by whose laws?
(Score: 2, Interesting) by khallow on Friday December 14 2018, @01:13PM (3 children)
Irrelevant. The arguments to release Meng have not been made on the basis of whether or not she was guilty of the crime. Thus, they are implying that she should be released even if she has committed fraud of the sort described in the extradition request.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 14 2018, @04:00PM (2 children)
“Five Eyes” intelligence agencies behind drive against Chinese telecom giant Huawei [wsws.org]
(Score: 2, Informative) by khallow on Friday December 14 2018, @04:29PM (1 child)
What was the crime that JP Morgan Chase committed?
In other words, egregious negligence versus the worse, deliberate fraud. Why again should the proposed punishment for the crime be as slight as it was for JP Morgan?
(Score: 2, Informative) by khallow on Friday December 14 2018, @04:30PM
(Score: 3, Informative) by DeathMonkey on Friday December 14 2018, @06:14PM
Fraud by whose laws?
The laws of Canada AND the US, as is required per our extradition treaty with them.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DeathMonkey on Friday December 14 2018, @06:17PM
Are allegations already established facts in your mind?
He didn't say they were. After the allegation comes the trial which establishes the facts. The person needs to actually show up to court, though, which is the phase we're currently at.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 14 2018, @04:18PM
+1 on the Air Canada comment.
I found out at the gate that fly on an Air Canada plane on a trip that started in Seattle, had a brief stop in Vancouver to pick up more passengers, and then flew to Asia, you have to buy a Canadian visa through some clunky online system. Don't need a Visa to cross at a road border, but to sit in the airport for a couple hours, you do.