Ex-Canadian diplomat being questioned in China for 'harming national security': state media
- 5 years ago
Chinese state media is reporting that a former Canadian diplomat is being questioned on suspicion of harming China's national security.
Michael Kovrig, who now works for the International Crisis Group, was detained in the country on Monday, just days after the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer in Canada.
The Canadian government says it sees no explicit link to the Huawei case.
Diplomats in China suggest Beijing could accuse the ICG of spying, which the group has denied.
Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry gave no details about Kovrig, but said the ICG was not registered in China and its activities in the country were illegal.
"I have no relevant information to provide on the matters mentioned in the media reports. The ICG is not registered in China. In that case, if its employees carry out any activities in China for the organization, it would be a violation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Chinese mainland, which was just revised last year."
Michael Kovrig, who now works for the International Crisis Group, was detained in the country on Monday, just days after the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer in Canada.
The Canadian government says it sees no explicit link to the Huawei case.
Diplomats in China suggest Beijing could accuse the ICG of spying, which the group has denied.
Meanwhile, China's foreign ministry gave no details about Kovrig, but said the ICG was not registered in China and its activities in the country were illegal.
"I have no relevant information to provide on the matters mentioned in the media reports. The ICG is not registered in China. In that case, if its employees carry out any activities in China for the organization, it would be a violation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Activities of Overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Chinese mainland, which was just revised last year."