Canada, US call for 'immediate release' of two Canadians held by China

Ottawa and Washington have stepped up pressure on Beijing, calling for the immediate release of two Canadians detained in apparent retaliation for the arrest in Vancouver of a top Chinese tech executive on a US warrant.

The European Union also said it was backing Canada in the detentions dispute, in which Ottawa has been caught up in the rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

"We are deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of two Canadians earlier this month and call for their immediate release," Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement Friday.

US State Department spokesman Robert Palladino also called for the two to be freed, while European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said through a spokesperson: "The EU supports the efforts of the Canadian government."
"Canada is conducting a fair, unbiased and transparent legal proceeding with respect to Meng Wanzhou," she said, adding that Canada "respects its international legal commitments, including by honoring its extradition treaty with the United States."
EU High Representative Mogherini's spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said China's declared motive for the arrest and detention of the Canadians "raises concerns about legitimate research and business practices in China."
Kocijancic said the denial of access to lawyers also "is contrary to the right of defence."
Hugh Pope, a spokesman for Kovrig's employer, the International Crisis Group, a think tank that analyzes conflicts and geopolitical flashpoints, said Kovrig "must be tired and stressed."