Close X
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
ADVT 
International

Ex-Diplomat Who Worked On Trudeau’s Hong Kong Visit Detained In China: Reports

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Dec, 2018 02:55 AM

    OTTAWA — A former Canadian diplomat who worked as a political lead for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2016 visit to Hong Kong has reportedly been arrested in China.


    The International Crisis Group says it's aware of media reports that Michael Kovrig, its northeast Asia senior adviser, has been detained. A member of the organization wrote in a short email that it has no additional information yet.


    "We are doing everything possible to secure additional information on Michael's whereabouts as well as his prompt and safe release," the organization said in a statement.


    Global Affairs Canada has yet to respond to a request for comment. China's embassy in Ottawa also has yet to provide a response to a request for information.


    News of Kovrig's detention comes after China warned Canada of consequences for its recent arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver's airport — but so far it's unclear if there is any link between the two cases.


    Kovrig wrote on his LinkedIn profile that he served as the political lead on the "successful visit" Trudeau made to Hong Kong in September 2016. At the time, Kovrig worked in Canada's consulate-general in Hong Kong.


    In his profile, Kovrig describes himself as an international policy analyst and strategist "at the intersection of communication, politics, economics and global security." He says he has 20 years of international experience — and about 10 years working for Canada's foreign affairs department, domestically and in postings abroad.


    A profile on the International Crisis Group's website says Kovrig previously worked as a Canadian diplomat in Beijing, Hong Kong and at the United Nations in New York. The group says Kovrig, who speaks Mandarin, conducts research and analysis on foreign affairs and global security issues in northeast Asia, particularly China, Japan and the Korean peninsula.


    Kovrig, the group said, has been one of its full-time experts since February 2017. The International Crisis Group describes itself as an "independent organization working to prevent wars and shape policies that will build a more peaceful world."


    Roland Paris, who served as Trudeau's senior foreign policy adviser until June 2016, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that Chinese "retaliation against Canadian interests or Canadians would be unacceptable and pointless."


    "It would have zero impact on judicial proceedings in Canada," wrote Paris, a professor of international affairs at the University of Ottawa. "Beijing should already know this from previous experience. Let cooler heads prevail."


    Meng's arrest in Vancouver has heightened tensions between Canada and China. The United States is seeking to have Meng extradited on allegations that she tried to bypass American trade sanctions on Iran.


    Huawei is one of the world's largest telecom companies.


    Beijing has warned Canada of unspecified "grave consequences" for the arrest of Meng, who is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei.


    She's described in some circles as "corporate royalty" in China. On TV and social media, commentators likened her arrest to the detention in China of a Mark Zuckerberg sibling or a cousin of Steve Jobs.


    Kovrig made headlines in August 2006 for very different reasons.


    While he was a public affairs officer at the Canadian mission to the United Nations, Kovrig surprised his girlfriend with a marriage proposal after luring her into the empty UN General Assembly hall.


    His girlfriend, who grew up in Afghanistan, said "yes."


    "The General Assembly hall is a place for announcing commitments to the world," Kovrig said at the time. "Our romance has been international, so it seemed appropriate to make the commitment on international territory."


    The couple met at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, where they were both pursuing master's degrees.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    US Woman Deported From India, Centre Asked Criteria For Business Visa

    US Woman Deported From India, Centre Asked Criteria For Business Visa
    In her main petition, Kasha Elizabeth Vandehas challenged her deportation to the US and denial of entry in to India despite having a valid business visa.

    US Woman Deported From India, Centre Asked Criteria For Business Visa

    Indians Among 6,080 Skilled Workers Being Denied Visa To UK

    Indians Among 6,080 Skilled Workers Being Denied Visa To UK
    Indian engineers, IT professionals, doctors and teachers are among 6,080 skilled workers, who are holding a UK job offer but denied visas to the UK since December 2017, according to a data released on Wednesday.

    Indians Among 6,080 Skilled Workers Being Denied Visa To UK

    Over 80 Indian-Americans Running For Public Offices For November Elections

    Over 80 Indian-Americans are running for the mid-term elections in November with a majority of them contesting on a Democratic party ticket, according to a former White House official.

    Over 80 Indian-Americans Running For Public Offices For November Elections

    Britain Becomes Land Of Self-Made Millionaires

    Britain's self-made billionaires and millionaires make up more than 90 per cent of the country's 2018 rich list that was published on Sunday, with two Indian-origin brothers ranking second.

    Britain Becomes Land Of Self-Made Millionaires

    Gender Bias Kills Over 200,000 Girls In India Each Year: Lancet

    Gender Bias Kills Over 200,000 Girls In India Each Year: Lancet
    Apart from the rising number of female foeticide cases in India, more than 200,000 girls under the age of five die each year in the country, finds a Lancet study led by an Indian-origin researcher.

    Gender Bias Kills Over 200,000 Girls In India Each Year: Lancet

    Airline Starts 'Cheapest Flight' From Delhi To New York. Via Iceland

    Airline Starts 'Cheapest Flight' From Delhi To New York. Via Iceland
    Wow Air said that it is offering an introductory basic fare of Rs. 13,499 to fly to destinations in North America and Europe.

    Airline Starts 'Cheapest Flight' From Delhi To New York. Via Iceland