https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/e...-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-or-face-consequences
China calls on Canada to free Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou or face consequences
A drawing of Huawei's global chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou (left) at her B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing in Vancouver, Canada, on Dec 7, 2018.PHOTO: REUTERS
Published
Dec 8, 2018, 10:37 pm SGT
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BEIJING (REUTERS) - China warned Canada on Saturday (Dec 8) that there would be severe consequences if it did not immediately release Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer, calling the case "extremely nasty".
Ms Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's global chief financial officer, was arrested in Canada on Dec 1 and faces extradition to the United States, which alleges that she covered up her company's links to a firm that tried to sell equipment to Iran despite sanctions.
The executive is also the daughter of the founder of Huawei.
If extradited to the US, Ms Meng would face charges of conspiracy to defraud multiple financial institutions, a Canadian court heard on Friday (Dec 7), with a maximum sentence of 30 years for each charge.
No decision was reached at the extradition hearing after nearly six hours of arguments and counter-arguments, and the hearing was adjourned until Monday (Dec 10).
In a short statement, China's Foreign Ministry said that Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng had issued the warning to release Ms Meng to Canada's ambassador in Beijing, summoning him to lodge a "strong protest".
Canada's arrest of Ms Meng at the request of the US while she was changing plane in Vancouver was a serious breach of her lawful rights, Mr Le said.
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The move "ignored the law, was unreasonable" and was in its very nature "extremely nasty", he added.
"China strongly urges the Canadian side to immediately release the detained person, and earnestly protect their lawful, legitimate rights, otherwise Canada must accept full responsibility for the serious consequences caused." The statement did not elaborate.
Ms Meng's arrest was on the same day that US President Donald Trump met in Argentina with China's Xi Jinping to look for ways to resolve an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies.
The news of her arrest has roiled stock markets and drawn condemnation from Chinese authorities, although Mr Trump and his top economic advisers have played down its importance to trade talks after the two leaders agreed to a truce.
A Huawei spokesman said on Friday the company has "every confidence that the Canadian and US legal systems will reach the right conclusion".
The company has said it complies with all applicable export control and sanctions laws and other regulations.
China calls on Canada to free Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou or face consequences
Published
Dec 8, 2018, 10:37 pm SGT
Facebook Twitter Email
BEIJING (REUTERS) - China warned Canada on Saturday (Dec 8) that there would be severe consequences if it did not immediately release Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's chief financial officer, calling the case "extremely nasty".
Ms Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's global chief financial officer, was arrested in Canada on Dec 1 and faces extradition to the United States, which alleges that she covered up her company's links to a firm that tried to sell equipment to Iran despite sanctions.
The executive is also the daughter of the founder of Huawei.
If extradited to the US, Ms Meng would face charges of conspiracy to defraud multiple financial institutions, a Canadian court heard on Friday (Dec 7), with a maximum sentence of 30 years for each charge.
No decision was reached at the extradition hearing after nearly six hours of arguments and counter-arguments, and the hearing was adjourned until Monday (Dec 10).
In a short statement, China's Foreign Ministry said that Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng had issued the warning to release Ms Meng to Canada's ambassador in Beijing, summoning him to lodge a "strong protest".
Canada's arrest of Ms Meng at the request of the US while she was changing plane in Vancouver was a serious breach of her lawful rights, Mr Le said.
Related Story
Huawei arrest stokes fears of China reprisals among America Inc executives
Related Story
Huawei exec's arrest: Who is Meng Wanzhou?
Related Story
Huawei exec Meng Wanzhou faces US fraud charges linked to Iran, court hears
Related Story
US pursued Huawei CFO's arrest despite risk to trade talks with Chinese President Xi
The move "ignored the law, was unreasonable" and was in its very nature "extremely nasty", he added.
"China strongly urges the Canadian side to immediately release the detained person, and earnestly protect their lawful, legitimate rights, otherwise Canada must accept full responsibility for the serious consequences caused." The statement did not elaborate.
Ms Meng's arrest was on the same day that US President Donald Trump met in Argentina with China's Xi Jinping to look for ways to resolve an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies.
The news of her arrest has roiled stock markets and drawn condemnation from Chinese authorities, although Mr Trump and his top economic advisers have played down its importance to trade talks after the two leaders agreed to a truce.
A Huawei spokesman said on Friday the company has "every confidence that the Canadian and US legal systems will reach the right conclusion".
The company has said it complies with all applicable export control and sanctions laws and other regulations.
