China’s prosecution of two Canadians for espionage has been met with criticism and allegations of hypocrisy. Michael Spavor, one of the detained Canadians, recently claimed that his fellow prisoner, Michael Kovrig, is responsible for their prolonged detention. Spavor alleges that Kovrig unwittingly provided intelligence on North Korea to him, which was later shared with Canada and allied spy services without Spavor’s knowledge.
In response, China’s embassy in Ottawa defended the prosecution, stating that recent reports support the facts of the case and undermine Canada’s claims of arbitrary detention. The embassy referred to Canada’s criticism as “purely a thief crying ‘stop thief'” and condemned Canada’s hypocrisy in the matter.
Amidst this dispute, Spavor is seeking a multimillion-dollar settlement from Ottawa for his detention. He alleges that he was arrested in China in 2018 because of the information he received from Kovrig. Spavor’s claims have further complicated the already strained relations between Canada and China.
This latest development adds fuel to the fire of the ongoing tensions between the two countries, which began when Canada arrested Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, on a U.S. extradition warrant. China retaliated by detaining Kovrig and Spavor, accusing them of spying.
The dispute raises questions about the treatment of Canadians detained in China and the use of espionage allegations as a diplomatic tool. The governments of both countries are under pressure to resolve the situation and find a diplomatic solution.
FAQ:
Q: What are the allegations against Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig?
A: Michael Spavor alleges that Michael Kovrig unwittingly provided him with intelligence on North Korea, which led to their detention in China.
Q: What is the current status of the Canada-China dispute?
A: The dispute remains ongoing, with tensions between the two countries heightened by these new espionage allegations.
Q: What actions have been taken by Canada and China in response to the dispute?
A: Canada has denied the espionage charges and criticized China for arbitrary detention. China, on the other hand, has defended its prosecution of the two Canadians and accused Canada of hypocrisy.