Former Canadian diplomat arrested in China
Michael Kovrig, who worked as a diplomat in China for more than 10 years, was arrested after Canada detained a Huawei executive.
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Michael Kovrig, an expert at the International Crisis Group. Photo: CNBC |
"The International Crisis Group (ICG) is aware that senior adviser for Northeast Asia Michael Kovrig has been detained in China," the ICG said in a statement, according to Reuters. "We are doing everything possible to obtain further information about Michael's whereabouts and to ensure his swift and safe release."
Kovrig is fluent in Mandarin. He served as a Canadian diplomat in Beijing and Hong Kong from 2003 to 2016. He has been a full-time expert for the ICG since February 2017.
It is not yet clear why Kovrig was arrested. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security did not respond to questions about the case. The Canadian Embassy in Beijing declined to comment.
Michael Kovrig’s arrest comes after Canada arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou on December 1 at the request of the United States, a move that angered Beijing, which warned of consequences if Canada did not release him.
It is not clear whether the two cases are related, but Ms. Meng’s arrest has raised concerns that China could retaliate by targeting the country’s foreign business community.
