(Ottawa) Canada’s Ambassador to China Dominic Barton will be stepping down from his post in Beijing at the end of the year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement Monday that he had accepted the diplomat’s decision “with great gratitude and respect.”
Mr. Trudeau underlined in his statement that Mr. Barton led the team of Canada in China for two years, “while the two countries faced significant challenges”.
He added that the Ambassador’s top priority had always been to secure the release of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were arbitrarily detained in China for two and a half years.
The two men were released and allowed to return to Canada ostensibly for health reasons last September.
They were arrested in December 2019, days after Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the request of US authorities.
Many countries had called China’s action a “hostage policy”, while China had accused Ottawa of arbitrary detention. The two Canadians were jailed for more than 1,000 days.
“He worked tirelessly to accomplish this important task. He offered support and advice to the families of the two Michael’s. He also appealed for the solidarity of like-minded countries to form a coalition with them. Thanks to Dominic’s leadership and skillful diplomatic approach, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are back with their loved ones, ”Trudeau said in his statement.
“Dominic has also been instrumental in determining and achieving Canada’s priorities with respect to China. Thanks to his efforts, Canada is now better able to manage this important relationship and achieve its diplomatic objectives. ”