Canada calls for 'immediate release' of Canadians held by China
(VOVWORLD) - Canada on Friday called on China to free two Canadian nationals detained in China.
 Chinese police guarded in front of Canadian embassy in Beijing, December 13 (Photo: VNA) |
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement that Canada is deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of two Canadians earlier this month and called for their immediate release.
China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based business consultant Michael Spavor earlier this month. The Canadians were arrested for what China has said is suspicion of "harm to national security". Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, was able to meet Kovrig on Friday. Hugh Pope, a spokesman for Kovrig's employer, the International Crisis Group, a think tank that analyzes conflicts and geopolitical flashpoints, said Kovrig "must be tired and stressed."