Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig (L) and Canadian businessman Michael Spavor, who are detained for months on national security grounds. (Source: AP)

There has been tension between Canada and China since Canada’s December detention on a US extradition request of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive with Chinese telecom giant Huawei. The two Canadian citizens were subsequently accused of activities that "endanger China's security”, an action widely seen as retaliation for Meng’s detention.