China protests at Huawei arrest

CHINA has summoned the Canadian ambassador to protest the detention of a top executive of 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 foreign minister Le Yucheng called in Ambassador John McCallum on Saturday over the holding of chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is reportedly suspected of trying to evade US trade curbs on Iran.

Mr Le told Mr McCallum that Meng’s detention at the request of the United States 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” Mr Le said.