Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Fate of two Canadians could be affected by Meng decision: former ambassador

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 May, 2020 09:16 PM
  • Fate of two Canadians could be affected by Meng decision: former ambassador

A former ambassador to China says Wednesday's decision in the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou could also determine the fate of two Canadians detained in China.

David Mulroney, who served as Canada's ambassador to the People's Republic of China between 2009 and 2012, says if Meng is released then he expects China will eventually follow suit and release Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

The detention of Kovrig and Spavor has widely been seen as arbitrary retaliation against Canada for the arrest of Meng, who is wanted on fraud charges in the United States.

If Meng's case instead proceeds to the next stage, Mulroney says he worries that China may choose to more actively prosecute the two Canadians on the national security charges they face.

While Meng's arrest in December 2018 was a lightning rod for the collapse of Canada-China relations, Mulroney says he believes China's behaviour over the past year has had the effect of "decoupling" the case from its initial influence on bilateral relations.

He says he believes China's interference in Hong Kong and other events have caused Canadians to become disenchanted with the idea or goal of returning to some kind of "golden status quo" with the Asian superpower.

"I think if Ms. Meng were to go back to China, it would probably mean good news on the part of the two Michaels but I don't think it would or should change Canada-China relations," says Mulroney, who is also a distinguished fellow with the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.

"I think even the most ardent China boosters have been forced to reconsider things and I think have been forced to admit that there's no going back to a golden status quo ante. It never existed and China is anything but a normal partner."

Justice Heather Holmes of the B.C. Supreme Court is scheduled to release her ruling on the issue of so-called double criminality on Wednesday in Vancouver.

The legal arguments on double criminality centre on whether the allegations Meng is facing in the United States would be a crime in Canada.

The decision could lead to her release or it could start a new round of legal arguments, including on whether her arrest at Vancouver's airport in December 2018 was unlawful.

The United States has charged her with fraud over allegations she violated American sanctions against Iran, which she and the Chinese telecommunications giant have denied.

Her lawyers have argued the court should dismiss the case because Canada has rejected similar sanctions, while the Crown has said the judge's role is to determine if there's evidence of fraud.

MORE National ARTICLES

COVID-19 wage subsidy to run to August: PM

COVID-19 wage subsidy to run to August: PM
A federal wage subsidy for employees in businesses hit hard by COVID-19 will last at least through the summer and the federal government is asking companies to rehire laid off staff — many of whom have received aid from an emergency benefit that has gone over budget.

COVID-19 wage subsidy to run to August: PM

B.C. minister 'cannot remain silent' about increasing anti-Asian hate crimes

B.C. minister 'cannot remain silent' about increasing anti-Asian hate crimes
British Columbia's minister responsible for multiculturalism says she can no longer remain silent about the rising number of hate crimes toward people of Asian heritage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

B.C. minister 'cannot remain silent' about increasing anti-Asian hate crimes

Jump in race related incidents targeting Asians in the Vancouver community during COVID-19

Jump in race related incidents targeting Asians in the Vancouver community during COVID-19
NDP MLA for Vancouver-Lonsdale's powerful video message regarding anti-racism following singer Bryan Adams tweet and the need for diversity is highlighted in her interview. 

Jump in race related incidents targeting Asians in the Vancouver community during COVID-19

Surrey launches 2020 love where you live campaign

Surrey launches 2020 love where you live campaign
Today, May 14th, the City of Surrey launches its annual Love Where You Live clean-up and beautification initiative that will run until October 30, 2020. Due to the physical distancing measures in place with COVID-19, this year’s campaign will focus on individual actions and small group projects.

Surrey launches 2020 love where you live campaign

Trudeau: CERB applicants be ware if you apply for CERB and are found to be ineligible you will face consequences.

Trudeau: CERB applicants be ware if you apply for CERB and are found to be ineligible you will face consequences.
CERB applicants be ware if you apply for CERB and are found to be ineligible you will face consequences. 

Trudeau: CERB applicants be ware if you apply for CERB and are found to be ineligible you will face consequences.

Sights Unseen Since Partition? What is Modi Doing As Thousands Flee Cities on Foot? #covid19

Sights Unseen Since Partition? What is Modi Doing As Thousands Flee Cities on Foot? #covid19
Migrant workers suffering during COVID-19 as they are killed while travelling on foot to get back to their home towns and villages. 

Sights Unseen Since Partition? What is Modi Doing As Thousands Flee Cities on Foot? #covid19