Canada detains CFO of China’s Huawei Technologies

World Today

A profile of Huawei’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou is displayed on a Huawei computer at a Huawei store in Beijing, China, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Canadian authorities said Wednesday that they have arrested Meng for possible extradition to the United States. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei, has been detained in Canada as the United States hopes to extradite her on unspecified charges.

CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports.

Meng was detained Saturday in Vancouver while changing planes. The American side has not released information on the case, but a U.S. Senator says Meng allegedly violated U.S. sanctions against Iran.

“China has made clear its solemn position separately to Canada and the United States, requesting them to immediately clarify the reasons for detention, immediately release the detainee and guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of the person concerned,” said Geng Shuang the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

In a statement China’s embassy in Canada says, “At the request of the U.S. side, the Canadian side arrested a Chinese citizen not violating any American or Canadian law. The Chinese side firmly opposes and strongly protests …such kind of actions which seriously harmed the human rights of the victim.”

In a statement posted to Twitter Huawei writes:

“The company has been provided very little information regarding the charges and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng. Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations where it operates, including applicable export control and sanction laws and regulations of the UN, US and EU.”

Huawei is one of the world’s largest mobile phone manufacturers and is pioneering 5G mobile products, including a phone capable of piloting a car. But the U.S. and other countries have blocked the use of Huawei products citing security concerns.

Meng will appear in a Canadian court at a bail hearing Friday. According to the extradition treaty between the two countries the U.S. side must present evidence that Meng broke the law for extradition to go forward. Meng has requested and been granted a publication ban in the case, which means it is not clear how much will be revealed at Friday’s hearing.


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Einar Tangen on the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou

CGTN’s Elaine Reyes talked with CGTN Current Affairs Commentator Einar Tangen about the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada at the request of U.S. officials.