- Title: China "happy" over Huawei executive's return, says Canadians' release unrelated
- Date: 27th September 2021
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 27, 2021) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON HUA CHUNYING WALKING IN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, HUA CHUNYING, SAYING: "The Meng Wanzhou incident was a political framing and persecution (aimed at) Chinese citizens. Its main objective was to suppress Chinese high-tech companies represented by Huawei. Through unremitting efforts of the Chinese government, Ms. Meng Wanzhou has finally returned to her motherland safely. We express happiness from the bottom of our hearts. Since Meng Wanzhou was unreasonably detained back in early December 2018, the Chinese (Communist) Party and government have attached great importance to this case. President Xi Jinping was personally concerned about it. China's foreign ministry, the Chinese embassies in the United States and Canada, and the Chinese consulate general in Vancouver worked at all levels in various capacities to provide consular protection and assistance to Ms. Meng, as well as to lodge solemn representations with the United States and Canada, requesting the cancellation of the fraudulent charges against Ms. Meng, and let her return home safely as soon as possible. " MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, HUA CHUNYING, SAYING: "The nature of the Meng Wanzhou incident is completely different from that of Michael Kovrig's and Michael Spavor's case. The Meng Wanzhou incident was an incident of political persecution against Chinese citizens, with the purpose of suppressing China's high-tech enterprises. A few days ago Meng Wanzhou already returned to her motherland safe and sound. Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were suspected of endangering China's national security. The two applied for bail pending their trial on the grounds of illness. Their (illnesses) were confirmed by the relevant departments, diagnosed by professional medical institutions, and guaranteed by the Canadian ambassador to China. The relevant Chinese courts approved the bail pending trial in accordance with the law, and the Chinese national security institute implemented it." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, HUA CHUNYING, SAYING: "The nature of the Meng Wanzhou incident is completely different from that of Michael Kovrig's and Michael Spavor's case. Many media, including Canadian media, have noticed that Canada should not do dirty work for the United States. Canada should learn a lesson." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF FOREIGN MINISTRY CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING
- Embargoed: 11th October 2021 11:34
- Keywords: Beijing Canada China Hua Chunying Huawei Meng Wanzhou United States foreign ministry tech
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- City: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001EWHUFRB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: China's foreign ministry on Monday (September 27) expressed "happiness" for Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou's return home while insisting that the detention and release of two Canadian citizens were of a "completely different" nature.
Meng landed in Huawei's home city of Shenzhen aboard a government-chartered plane on Saturday (September 25), ending her near three-year U.S. extradition fight, the same day two Canadians were detained by Beijing shortly after Meng's 2018 detention returned home. The two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who had been imprisoned on espionage accusations, left China within hours of Meng's release from house arrest.
During a regular briefing in Beijing, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Meng's case was "political persecution," while the two Canadians were "suspected of endangering China's national security".
"Many media, including Canadian media, have noticed that Canada should not do dirty work for the United States. Canada should learn a lesson," Hua added.
Meng was allowed to go home after reaching an agreement with U.S. prosecutors on Friday to end a bank fraud case against her.
(Production: Wang Shubing, Xihao Jiang) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None