China urges Canada to release Huawei executive ahead of key ruling

China on Tuesday urged Canada to immediately release Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese technology company Huawei, and allow her to return home safely.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a regular press conference and noted Meng’s case is a serious political incident.

“Canada and the US arbitrarily misused the bilateral extradition treaty between them, which had violated Chinese citizen’s safety and legitimate rights,” the spokesperson said.

“The Canadian side should correct its mistakes to avoid damaging relations between China and Canada,” he added.

Zhao reiterated the Chinese government’s firm determination to safeguard the legitimate rights of the country and its citizens.

Meng was arrested on December 1, 2018, at Vancouver International Airport at the request of the United States, which is seeking her extradition on fraud charges. Both Meng and Huawei have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

A judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia will deliver a ruling on Wednesday on the issue of “double criminality” — whether the offense the US has accused Meng of committing would be considered a crime if it had happened in Canada.

Meng could be set free if the judge decides that the extradition case fails the test of “double criminality.”