The Chinese ambassador to Canada said Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor confessed to crimes before their release from Chinese prisons last September.
Chinese envoy Cong Peiwu also said Canada will pay a price if it prevents Chinese telecommunications company Huawei from participating in the country’s 5G internet network, as its Group of Five allies, the United States, have already done. United, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
Canada delayed its 5G decision out of concern for Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor who were jailed in China for nearly three years in apparent retaliation for the RCMP arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou after a warrant extradition was delivered by the United States in December 2018.
China has convicted Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor of espionage in closed-door trials that have been widely criticized by Canada and dozens of Western allies who have described the charges against the two men as invented retaliation. rooms.
“The information examined by the Chinese authorities shows that the evidence of the crimes is indisputable. And also, they confessed to their crimes, ”Cong Peiwu told a small group of Canadian and Chinese reporters on an invitation-only video conference Friday.
the Global Times, a Chinese state-controlled newspaper, citing anonymous sources, first reported shortly after their release in September that the two men confessed, but provided no further details.
The newspaper also said that they had been released on medical bail and had to “strictly adhere” to certain conditions.
“The two Canadians must strictly abide by the bail order issued by the relevant Chinese courts. In the event of a violation, China can resume, according to the law, the trial of the alleged criminal acts at any time during the release on bail, ”Cong Peiwu said on Friday when questioned by The Canadian Press.
Ambassador Cong was responding to the remarks of Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, who rekindled speculation on the subject during an interview with “Power and Politics” on CBC on Wednesday.
“We want to make sure we continue to champion their cause, because there are some issues that haven’t been resolved yet,” Mélanie Joly told the news show after meeting with Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
When pressed by her interviewer to elaborate on the issues, she replied, “Both Michael’s are on bail at the moment, under Chinese criminal law. And so we want to make sure that we are working with the Chinese government. It will be a priority. “
Global Affairs Canada made no immediate comment on Cong Peiwu’s comments on Friday. Minister Joly was in Liverpool, England for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers to discuss China’s military provocations in southern China and against Taiwan.
Cong Peiwu said China wants to move forward in a positive relationship with Canada, noting that its trade volume has increased despite the decline in diplomatic relations in the three years since the start of the affair. Meng and the two Michael.
He opposed Canada’s decision this week to join a diplomatic boycott of the February Winter Olympics and said this political posture would not diminish the sporting spectacle Beijing would host.
An upcoming Liberal decision
In announcing the boycott, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited numerous human rights violations by China, as did several Western allies such as the United States, Britain and Australia, including crimes against the Muslim population. Uyghur, the pro democracy movement in Hong Kong and military provocations against Taiwan.
Justin Trudeau’s liberals are expected to announce a decision regarding Huawei’s participation in its 5G internet network soon, and Cong Peiwu has made it clear that China would take a dim view of Canada if it follows its Group of Five allies.
“We hope this will be a positive boost for the relationship, rather than negative things that will be detrimental to the relationship. Of course, they will pay the price for their wrong actions and actions, ”Ambassador Cong said.
Experts say Canada should expect economic retaliation from China following the Olympic boycott and the likely decision to exclude Huawei from its 5G internet network.
“I suspect that we will be punished for the eventual decision on Huawei rather than the Olympics,” said Guy Saint-Jacques, former Canadian ambassador to China.
After Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, China blocked imports of Canadian beef and pork, as well as canola.
“This time, she could choose a product that she can get elsewhere: Barley? Wheat ? Canola? Pork ? Beef ? Iron ore? »Said Guy Saint-Jacques.
Bessma Momani, an expert in international affairs at the University of Waterloo, said President Xi Jinping may also take steps to reduce Chinese investment in Canada in various sectors, including the real estate market.
“Much of China’s investment in Canada has gone to the energy that China needs, but too much has also gone to real estate as a way for the Chinese elite to deliver money. money outside the country, ”Bessma Momani said.
“This latest investment could be scaled back further as a Chinese countermeasure, but that may not be a bad thing for homeowners who see prices skyrocket. “
The international affairs expert said that while reducing the flow of Chinese investment in Canadian real estate could lower prices and make housing affordable for more Canadians, President Xi still has strong pressure to do so. anyway.
“There is a lot of money coming from the mainland, but there is a lot of money from Hong Kong going into the real estate business,” she said.
“It would somehow undermine Hong Kong’s momentum for independence. “