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Canadian citizen detained in China amid diplomatic tensions

After Meng’s arrest, China detained two Canadians, accusing them of involvement in stealing state secrets.

Canadian citizen detained in China amid diplomatic tensions

China has banned Canadian agriculture products, sentenced two Canadians to death and detained three others since Ottawa arrested a top Huawei executive (Photo: AFP)

Amid the sour relations between China and Canada, another Canadian citizen was detained in the Chinese city of Yantai on Saturday, according to Canadian government spokesman.

“Global Affairs Canada is aware of the detention of a Canadian citizen in Yantai, China,” a spokesman told AFP.

He further said that “Canadian officials are providing consular assistance” but no further details could be disclosed due to privacy laws”.

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Relations between China and Canada nosedived last December after Vancouver police detained Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co, on a U.S. arrest warrant. Beijing is demanding her return.

After Meng’s arrest, China detained two Canadians, accusing them of involvement in stealing state secrets.

However, there is no indication it’s related to the cases of Canadians Michael Kovrig, an ex-diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a consultant, according to sources.

The British embassy in Beijing on Friday said four of its nationals had been arrested in Jiangsu province where Xuzhou is located, without specifying if the arrests were related to the drug case.

China’s state radio said some of the detained individuals were teachers at an English education centre operated by EF Education First, a privately held Swiss firm that operates in 114 countries.

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