Foreign Affairs Minister says they’ve lost contact with another Canadian in China
Posted December 12, 2018 3:53 pm.
Last Updated December 12, 2018 6:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – As the Chinese government confirms it has detained Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, we hear about another Canadian possible facing troubles in China.
Foreign Affairs Minister says they’ve demanded to see Kovrig right away, but noted that a second Canadian may have been detained.
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Chrystia Freeland said Global Affairs was contacted by a Canadian who was being questioned by Chinese authorities but have not heard anything since, “We have not been able to make contact with him,” she said.
“We have also raised this case with the Chinese authorities,” Freeland added.
The news comes amid a growing dispute after Huawei’s CFO was arrested in Vancouver over charges she is facing in the U.S.
Freeland said Michael Kovrig still works for global affairs but is on leave from his job to work for an NGO, which is why he doesn’t have diplomatic status. He was detained on Monday by the Beijing state security bureau.
While Canada has been in touch with Chinese officials, Freeland said they still don’t know where kovrig is, what charges he is facing, or if he is okay.
Canada has not changed its travel advisory to China, but still tells people heading there to exercise a high degree of caution.
