China orders Canada to release tech giant senior executive
BEIJING: China on Thursday demanded Canada release a Huawei Technologies executive who was arrested in a case that adds to tensions with Washington and threatens to complicate trade talks.
Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, faces possible extradition to the US, according to Canadian authorities. The Globe and Mail newspaper, citing law enforcement sources, said she is accused of trying to evade US curbs on trade with Iran.
The timing is awkward following the announcement of a US-Chinese ceasefire in a tariff war over Beijing’s technology policy. Meng was detained in Vancouver on Saturday, the day US Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping met in Argentina and announced their deal.
The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said Meng broke no US or Canadian laws and demanded Canada “immediately correct the mistake” and release her.
“The Chinese side expresses firm opposition and strongly protests this serious violation of human rights,” said an embassy statement.
Huawei Technologies Ltd., the biggest global supplier of network gear used by phone and internet companies, has been the target of deepening US security concerns. Washington has pressured European countries and other allies to limit use of its technology.
The US sees Huawei as a possible fronts for spying and as competitors that the administration says benefits from improper subsidies and market barriers.