Chinese threaten ‘grave consequences’ over detention

CHINA has summoned the Canadian ambassador to protest the detention of a top executive at leading Chinese tech giant Huawei, calling it “unreasonable, unconscionable, and vile in nature” and warning of “grave consequences” if she is not released.

A report by the official Xinhua News Agency carried on the foreign ministry’s website said that vice minister Le Yucheng called in Ambassador John Mccallum on Saturday over the holding of chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is suspected of trying to evade US trade curbs on Iran.

Mr Le told Mr Mccallum that Ms Wanzhou’s detention at the request of the US while transferring flights in Vancouver was a “severe violation” of her “legitimate rights and interests”.

“Such a move ignores the law and is unreasonable, unconscionable, and vile in nature,” Mr Le said in the statement.

“China strongly urges the Canadian side to immediately release the detained Huawei executive ... or face grave consequences that the Canadian side should be held accountable for,” Mr Le said.

A Canadian prosecutor urged a Vancouver court to deny bail to Ms Wanzhou, whose case is destabilising Us-china relations and worrying global financial markets.

Ms Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei’s founder, was detained at the request of the US during a stop-over at the Vancouver airport on December 1 – the same day US President Donald Trump and Chinese premier Xi Jinping agreed over dinner to a 90-day ceasefire in a trade dispute that threatens to disrupt global commerce.

The US alleges that Huawei used a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment in Iran in violation of US sanctions.

It also says Ms Wanzhou and Huawei misled American banks about its business dealings in Iran.

The arrest raises doubts about whether the world’s two biggest economies can resolve their differences.

Canadian prosecutor John Gibb-carsley said in a court hearing on Friday a warrant had been issued for Ms Wanzhou’s arrest in New York on August 22.

He said Ms Wanzhou, arrested en route to Mexico from Hong Kong, was aware of the warrant and had been avoiding the US for months.

Gibb-carsley alleged Huawei had done business in Iran through Hong Kong firm Skycom and Ms Wanzhou had misled US banks to think the firms were separate when, in fact, “Skycom was Huawei”.