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China investigates second Canadian over ‘harming’ national security
BEIJING, Dec 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A second Canadian who had gone missing
in China is under investigation on suspicion of “engaging in activities that
harm China’s national security”, state media reported Thursday.
Michael Spavor was “being investigated” by the Dandong city branch of
China’s ministry of state security and the probe started on December 10,
according to a government news agency in northeastern Liaoning province.
Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, was detained by Chinese state
security on Monday in Beijing, according to his employer, the International
Crisis Group think tank.
Kovrig too is suspected of “engaging in activities” that endanger China’s
national security, according to a report Wednesday by Beijing News, a local
newspaper.
The reported investigations of two Canadian nationals come more than a week
after Ottawa infuriated Beijing by arresting Meng Wanzhou, the chief
financial officer of Chinese telecom giant Huawei, at Washington’s request.
Meng was released on Can$10 million (US$7.5 million) bail by a court in
Vancouver on Tuesday.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1130 hrs