fredag 19. februar 2021

China lashes out at Canada for signing declaration against arbitrary detention

China has lashed out against Canada for signing a declaration denouncing the arbitrary detention of foreign citizens, describing the move as a “despicable and hypocritical act” as relations between the two countries remain tense. Earlier this week, Canada and 57 other nations, including the US, UK, Australia, Germany and Sweden, jointly signed a declaration condemning the use of arbitrary detention for political purposes.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, China’s foreign ministry said Beijing had conveyed its frustration to Ottawa over the joint statement. “Canada colluded with some countries to issue a so-called declaration against arbitrary detention, and deliberately let the relevant people slander China’s arbitrary detention of Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor,” said spokesperson Hua Chunying.