Obnoxious Bullying, China's Forte

"The Chinese competent authorities have arrested them [two Canadian citizens] according to law as they are engaged in suspected activities endangering national security."
"The nature [of the trumped-up charges] is the same. It is endangering Chinese national security."
"The United States is using its domestic law to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, because Hong Kong is part of China, that is very dangerous and it sends the wrong signal."
"What they have done is going to embolden those violent criminals [Hong Kong protesters] and that will do nothing to help restore order."
"We are firmly opposed to any foreign interference."
Chinese ambassador to Canada, Ambassador Cong Peiwu

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Canada Cong Peiwu participates in a roundtable interview with journalists at the Embassy of China in Ottawa on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

"The reason why some people are used to arrogantly adopting double standards is due to Western egotism and white supremacy."
"What they have been doing is not showing respect for the rule of law, but mocking and trampling the rule of law."
Former Chinese ambassador to Canada, Lu Shaye

China's new ambassador to Canada is continuing the fray where his predecessor left off, accusing Canada of warping international as much as domestic justice, which China staunchly upholds on both counts. This latest political contretemps which quickly escalated in charges and counter-charges began back in December 2018 when Huawei's CFO, Meng Wanzhou was arrested at the Vancouver airport on a U.S. warrant to detain and extradite the Chinese executive.

She was released on bail for the interim until her case would be judicially resolved, living at one of her two Vancouver mansions, wearing an electronic monitor, but free to go about normal life in Canada, while Beijing accuses Canada of illegally detaining one of their important nationals. Almost immediately following Ms.Weng's arrest, two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested and ultimately charged with espionage endangering China's security. Like his predecessor, Ambassador Cong denies their arrest has anything to do with Ms.Weng's detention.

Both Canadians remain incarcerated under fairly harrowing conditions, have had sporadic Canadian consular contact permitted them, and no lawyers assigned to their cases. According to Ambassador Cong, the Huawei executive's arrest was completely arbitrary and unlawful, while the imprisonment and charges against the two Canadians is completely lawful and due process will proceed. As for a third Canadian whose lengthy prison sentence for drug smuggling was precipitately transformed to a death sentence, due process will doubtless be applied there as well.

Not to worry. According to Jeremy Paltiel, professor at Carleton University -- a China expert -- now that formal charges have finally been placed against the two Canadians in custody, they should be given access to lawyers. And since 99 percent of such cases in China conclude with conviction, it doesn't seem hopeful that Kovrig and Spavor will be returning home any time soon. Unless, that is, Canada spikes its own system of justice with a pass and returns Ms.Meng to China.

Michael Spavor, left, former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, right (Canadian Press)

In the interview that the new ambassador granted he weighed in as well to warn Canada to stay out of the issue of supporting Hong Kong demonstrations for autonomy and democracy, as the United States has done with the U.S. Congress passing legislation to lead to sanctions. This move is hugely unpopular with the Chinese Communist Party, as is the effort to persuade other governments to themselves place like sanctions on Chinese officials.

Police violence in trying to contain the protests has led to violence on the part of the demonstrators. Beijing has exercised a certain level of restraint in responding to the protests that they characterize as 'riots', knowing that the eyes of the international community are fixed squarely on events in Hong Kong, and that the sympathies and sentiments of the civilized world are with the protesters. The five months of unrest in the city-state have represented a trying time for all involved.

Canada and China established diplomatic relations almost a half-century ago. Beijing's focus on presenting itself as a contender for world power status and its ambitions in the sphere of universal trade, to place itself at the centre of the international community's focus on trade has often been crudely carried out, gaining China distrust from Western democracies just as China's near neighbours have been disturbed and forewarned of its aggressive moves to acquire contested geographic, oceanic and air rights.

"The situation has deteriorated as much as it can and China doesn't want it to deteriorate any further", Professor Paltiel advised . "China has enough problems on its plate that it doesn't need to have fewer friends in the world", he continued, assaying that Beijing would be open to settling the problem it faces with Canada over the Huawei arrest. On the other hand, there would be no settlement possible, should Canada decide that its G5 upgrade will proceed without Huawei inclusion, to ensure that its status as a 'Five Eyes' member will remain intact. 

Protesters were out on the streets again during their lunch hour on Friday as part of the daytime campaign launched last week by the anti-government movement. Photo: Xiaomei Chen