Canada has sent a parliamentary delegation to China to press for the release of two Canadian citizens formally arrested for espionage last week, said Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, reported Reuters.
Businessman Michael Spavor, who worked extensively in North Korea promoting tourism, and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were detained separately in December, shortly after Canada arrested Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who faces extradition to the United States.
Liberal lawmaker Robert Oliphant is now leading a Canadian delegation in China to push for the release of the two men.
Canada has condemned the detentions as “arbitrary”, while China has demanded Meng be released. Freeland, in an interview with CBC radio, said she sought “repeatedly” to speak with Chinese officials about the release of the citizens, but to no avail.