Canada-China: Deteriorating Relations
Diplomacy is taking a beating between Canada and China. Will this relationship survive?
The war of words between the two countries is ramping up as China accuses Canada of “megaphone diplomacy”. Canada refuses to release Huawei Executive, Meng Wanzhou while China continues to hold the two Michaels, Kovrig and Spavor on “spying charges”. Neither has been to court and remain incarcerated, unlike Wanzhou who is free on bail.
There has been growing pressure on the federal government to be more forceful with China to get the “Michaels “ home. A group of notable Canadians penned a letter to the Prime Minister to stop extradition for Wanzhou in a trade to get Kovrig and Spavor back to Canada. But in one of his most forceful declarations, Trudeau has rejected the idea outright saying it would set a dangerous precedent. A recent national security review found Canada is an attractive and permissive target of China. CSIS has investigated and reported on the possible threat but there has been no response from the Federal government.
Do you think Canada should conduct a prisoner swap with Meng for the Michaels? Read more about the issue, cast your vote, and email your MP all on unpublished.vote!
Our Unpublished vote poll question...
Should Canada agree to send Meng Wanzhou back to China for the safe return of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor?
The results so far:
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Senior Fellow in International Affairs, Carleton University
Former Canadian Diplomat to China