Two Canadians Detained in China for Huawei VP Swap Return Home

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Chinese authorities have released two Canadians who were detained as bargaining chips in negotiations for the release of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's Vice Chairwoman, and they have returned to their home country.

According to foreign media including AFP on the 25th (local time), Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who were detained in China, arrived in Calgary on a Canadian government chartered flight. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau personally went to the airport to embrace and welcome them. Kovrig said, "It is fantastic to be back home in Canada. We are very grateful to everyone who worked to bring the two of us back."

Prime Minister Trudeau later posted on Twitter, "You have shown incredible courage, resilience, and patience," adding, "The Canadian people will continue to be here for you, just as they always have been."

Spavor, a businessman involved in North Korea, and Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, were arrested by Chinese authorities nine days after Meng was detained in the United States in December 2018. Spavor, who had been running tourism businesses in North Korea, was sentenced last month to 11 years in prison on charges of "spying for a foreign country and illegally providing state secrets." Previously, Spavor had arranged the visit of former American basketball player Dennis Rodman to North Korea and had met with Kim Jong-un, the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.

The reason the Chinese court detained the Canadian businessmen has been interpreted as retaliation and a prelude to a prisoner swap, following Canada's arrest of Meng at the request of the United States on charges of violating Iran sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also issued a statement welcoming the release, saying, "The U.S. government, along with the international community, welcomes the release by Chinese authorities of Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, who were arbitrarily detained for over two and a half years."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.