Arbitrary detention claim debunked by facts: China on Canadian allegations

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Wednesday called on Canada to “introspect” over its "mistakes" after new revelations about the arrest of two citizens by Beijing came to the fore.

“Now we know the truth about the Canadian tale of 'Two Michaels' and Canada’s false accusation against China of ‘arbitrary detention’,” said China’s Foreign Ministry. “But will Canada learn its lesson?”

Beijing’s response came after the Canadian daily Globe and Mail reported: “One of the two Canadians jailed by China for nearly three years … (is) alleging he was detained because he unwittingly provided intelligence on North Korea to Canada and allied spy services.”

Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested by China in December 2018 and charged with spying. They were freed in September 2021.

Now, Spavor has alleged “deception” on the part of his fellow Canadian prisoner Kovrig.

He has said: “It was intelligence work by the latter (Spavor) that led to both men’s incarceration by Chinese authorities,” the daily reported citing sources.

Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said: “The relevant reports have once again proved that Canada's slander against China completely confuses right and wrong.”

“The lie of arbitrary detention made up by the Canadian side is finally exposed by facts,” Wang said, urging the Canadian side to “respect facts, deeply reflect on its own mistakes, stop misleading public opinion, blaming and smearing China on the case of the ‘two Michaels’.”