Envoys summoned over Huawei CFO detention
Vice-Foreign Minister Le Yucheng urgently summoned United States Ambassador to China Terry Branstad on Sunday over the detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.
Meng, chief financial officer of Huawei, the biggest global supplier of network gear for cellphones and internet companies, and also the daughter of Huawei’s founder, was arrested in Canada while transferring in Vancouver for a flight to Mexico on Dec 1.
Le made representations over, and strongly protested against, the US “unreasonably demanding” Canada detain Meng.
What the US has done seriously violates the legitimate and justified rights and interests of a Chinese citizen, and the violation is extremely serious in nature, Le said.
China is firmly opposed to this, and strongly urges the US to attach great importance to China’s solemn position, take immediate measures to correct its wrong practices, and revoke the arrest warrant against the Chinese citizen, Le said.
China will base its further responses on the US actions, Le added.
On Saturday, Le summoned Canadian Ambassador to China John McCallum over Meng’s detention, calling it “unreasonable, unconscionable and vile in nature”.
Le said Meng’s detention at the request of the US was a “severe violation” of her “legitimate rights and interests”.
The detention of Meng by Canadian authorities in Vancouver without providing any explicit reason constitutes a severe violation of her human rights, observers said.
Washington claimed Huawei has violated sanctions the US imposed on Iran. Huawei has stated that it complies with all laws and rules where it operates, including export controls and sanctions of the United Nations.
Liu Deliang, a professor of law at Beijing Normal University, said the US request for Canada to arrest Meng does not comply with international law, and the longarm jurisdiction the US adopts is a typical embodiment of its hegemonic practices.
A bail hearing took place at the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver with no conclusion after hours of debate. Meng was reportedly placed in restraining devices used on convicted felons. The hearing will resume Monday after Meng spends the weekend in custody.
Vancouver said earlier that it would not “let politics slip into decisions” when Canada refused to join the other four “Five Eyes” — Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States — in banning China’s Huawei Technologies from participating in the 5G mobile networks in their countries.
Unfortunately, that is what it is now doing.
The country has surrendered to the United States’ ugly politics by detaining Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s global chief financial officer, on Dec 1 when she was transferring at Vancouver airport. An action done at the request of the US judicial authorities, which claim Huawei violated the sanctions the US has imposed on Iran.
Huawei has stated that it complies with all laws and rules where it operates, including the export controls and sanctions of the United Nations, the US and European Union, and no details have been forthcoming relating to the alleged charges.
Detaining a Chinese citizen during her change of flight without giving any concrete reason has severely violated her legitimate rights and interests. And Canada has treated Meng as a dangerous criminal, handcuffing her at the airport and making her wear ankle restraints after her first bail hearing.
Meng is a middle-aged woman, who has health issues and is still in recovery from neck surgery in May, yet she is being treated as a violent offender. It is hard to escape the conclusion that her treatment is something of a show trial intended to humiliate her and the Chinese people.
On Saturday, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Le Yucheng summoned the Canadian Ambassador to China John McCallum to lodge solemn representations and strong protests at Meng’s arrest. He demanded that Canada release Meng immediately and earnestly protect her legitimate rights and interests or face grave consequences.
According to the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ottawa had advance notice of the arrest. However, he chose not to keep the Chinese side informed and connived in the US’ action against Huawei.
Huawei has become something of a bête noire for the US administration. The Chinese company, which is the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies, has been looking to position itself at the forefront of the nascent 5G revolution that is beginning to take shape and the US administration wants to reserve that spot for US companies.
To this end, the US has been pressuring the other “Five Eyes” to limit the use of Huawei technology. But the latest move targeting Hauwei is nasty. It is to be hoped that Canada will not simply hold a candle while the devil does its dirty deeds. It risks resulting in serious consequences and Canada will have to bear the responsibility.