Chinese diplomats have rallied behind Huawei as the Canadian government issued authority for the extradition hearing against the tech giant's Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Meng Wanzhou.
A statement from the Canadian federal department read, "Today, Department of Justice Canada officials issued an authority to proceed, formally commencing an extradition process in the case of Ms. Meng Wanzhou," CBC News reported.
The outlet noted that it took Ottawa three months to make a decision following Meng's arrest in Vancouver. The arrest was made upon the request of the United States government.
Meng's defense team expressed disappointment over Ottawa's decision, stating that the extradition hearing would be an abuse of appropriate legal processes. The team also maintained Meng's innocence against charges related to alleged violation of international sanctions imposed on Iran.
The Chinese Embassy in Canada called the Canadian justice department's decision as "political persecution," noting that the hearing's results will determine whether the western country abides by judicial independence.
While the hearing authority handed out on Friday could prompt the beginning of extradition procedures, experts pointed out that it could take a lot of time before Meng is delivered to the United States.
According to Reuters, Meng is set to appear in a Vancouver court on March 6 to set an official date for her U.S. extradition hearing.
University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs' Professor Wesley Wark said Canada would most likely be torn between the U.S. and China while the extradition process is underway. Wark said, "the Canadians will take a beating throughout this whole process."
In December, U.S. President Donald Trump told the media that he will intervene in the proceedings if the country's national security interests are put at risk. He added that his intervention could also be triggered if the proceedings will help him strike a trade deal with China.
Before the Canadian DOJ declared its decision, Chinese diplomats rallied behind Huawei and Meng in support of the tech provider's battle against the U.S. government and its allies.
According to the South China Morning Post, Chinese ambassador to Canada Lu Shaye said security allegations against Huawei were "bunk" and the united attacks are "not based on real national security concerns. Shaye added that claims made against the company were meant to create an "unfair" business environment that will benefit rival firms.
Another diplomat, China's ambassador to the European Union (EU), Zhang Ming recommended that Europe should not create an "iron curtain" that will stop 5G projects from taking form in the eurozone. He stressed that while security concerns are "normal," Huawei's 5G technology will establish an era that sees people relying on the internet for all needs.
