A message of goodwill to celebrate the Lunar New Year was sent to Canada by diplomats in China, reports have revealed. The message expressed China's intention of mending the relationship between both countries amidst the ongoing conflict involving the detention of a Huawei executive. Chinese diplomats mentioned in the message that China simply wants to get their relationships back on track and for future negotiations to be hopefully based on mutual respect for one another.
During the reception of the Chinese embassy's Spring Festival celebrations, Deputy Chief Heng Xiaojun explained that China wants to strengthen communications with Canada, with the hopes of getting their bilateral relations back on track. The sentiments were shared by China's consul-general in Canada Tong Xiaoling, who told reporters that she was fully supporting the move to improve the relationship between both countries.
Chinese ambassadors in Canada have expressed their willingness to open communications with other countries and to hopefully improve relationships with them. Lu Xu, the consul-general assigned to the Chinese embassy in Calgary explained that despite their efforts some nations are just not willing to give China a chance. Chinese diplomats also continue to assert that China is in no way trying to impose itself onto those countries.
The relationship between China and Canada suffered a seemingly terrible blow when Canadian authorities arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou when she was visiting the country. According to some reports, the arrest may have been a direct request from the United States government. Meng is currently accused of several fraud-related actions involving the United States' sanctions on Iran. The United States is currently working to extradite the executive and to put her on immediate trial.
Huawei is currently banned from involving itself in the construction and development of communications infrastructure in different countries; including the United States. This is mainly due to allegations that the company may be involved in attempts to steal copyrighted technology from a US-based tech company.
Canada has so far refused to release Meng into Chinese custody despite numerous requests from the government. In a statement made last month by Canadian diplomats, China currently has 13 Canadian citizens in detention. Eight of those who had been arrested in China have been released. China had also recently executed a Canadian drug smuggler after a Chinese appeals court upgraded his 15-year jail sentence. Canada is still negotiating the release of the other prisoners in custody, while China continues its plea for the release of the Huawei executive.
