15 foreign policy experts call for release of Canadian in China

TORONTO—Fifteen prominent US foreign policy experts on Monday called for the release of a Canadian detained in China in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Chinese tech executive in Canada.

The scholars and think tank executives released a joint statement saying Michael Kovrig’s detention is worrying because independent policy research institutions can help mitigate conflict during a time of growing differences and heightened suspicions between China and the West.

“This is why we are particularly concerned by the detention of one of our colleagues,” the statement said. “Michael’s arrest has a chilling effect on all those who are committed to advance constructive US-China relations.”

Kovrig is an expert on Asia and works at International Crisis Group think tank.

China arrested Kovrig and another Canadian on December 10, apparently attempting to pressure Canada to release Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Meng was arrested at the request of US authorities who want her extradited to face fraud charges.

The scholars include Nicolas Burns from Harvard, Anne-Marie Slaughter from Princeton and retired US Gen. John Allen from the Brookings Institute, among others.

Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor haven’t had access to a lawyer since being arrested.

A Chinese court also sentenced a Canadian to death in a sudden retrial on allegations of drug trafficking, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. China is also blocking some imports of canola from Canada, in a development that could be related to Meng’s case.

Meng is out on bail, living in one of her two Vancouver homes awaiting extradition proceedings to begin. Her case could take years to be resolved.