BEIJING — China summoned the U. S. ambassador to Beijing to protest Canada’s detention of a senior executive of Chinese electronics giant Huawei at Washington’s…
BEIJING — China summoned the U. S. ambassador to Beijing to protest Canada’s detention of a senior executive of Chinese electronics giant Huawei at Washington’s behest, demanding the U. S. cancel the order for her arrest.
The official Xinhua News Agency said Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng “lodged solemn representations and strong protests” with Ambassador Terry Branstad on Sunday against the detention of Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou. Meng, who is reportedly suspected of trying to evade U. S. trade curbs on Iran, was detained on Dec. 1 while changing planes in Vancouver, Canada.
The Xinhua report said Le called Meng’s detention “extremely egregious” and demanded the U. S. vacate the arrest warrant. It said Le urged the U. S. to “immediately correct its wrong actions,” warning Beijing will take further steps based on Washington’s response.
On Saturday, the Chinese government summoned Canadian Ambassador John McCallum over Meng’s detention. He was also given a warning of “grave consequences” if she is not released.
The Canadian province of British Columbia said in a statement Sunday it canceled a trade mission to China because of Meng’s detention.
