Splashed by allegations of Chinese interference, the Trudeau government has decided to invite Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor to the official dinner that will close the visit of US President Joe Biden to Canada on Friday evening. Both men were incarcerated in China for more than 1,000 days before being released in 2021.
The two Canadians were arrested in Beijing in 2018, a few days after the arrest in Canada, at the request of the United States, of the financial director of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, Meng Wanzhou.
MK Han Dong withdrew from caucus on Wednesday following a Global News report alleging he had advised the Chinese consul in Toronto to wait before releasing the two Michaels. There was a perception that their release would have been favorable to the Conservative Party of Canada, perceived as unfavorable to the Chinese regime. He denies these allegations based on two confidential sources affiliated with national security.
The official dinner for President Biden will take place Friday night at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. A few hundred guests are expected.
With Melanie Marquis
More details to come.