China confirmed on Thursday that it has detained two Canadian men, raising the stakes in a three-way dispute over a Chinese technology executive facing possible extradition from Canada to the United States.
Entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig were taken into custody on Monday on suspicion of "engaging in activities that endanger the national security" of China, said foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang.
Mr Lu said Canada was informed but declined to say whether the men have been provided with lawyers. He said the cases are being handled separately by local bureaus of the national intelligence agency in Beijing, where Mr Kovrig was detained, and the north-eastern city of Dandong, where Mr Spavor lived.
"The legal rights of the two Canadians are being safeguarded," he told reporters at a daily briefing.
The arrests put pressure on Canada, which is holding Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies. She was arrested December 1 at the request of the United States, which wants her extradited to face bank fraud charges.
Canadian officials have been unable to contact Mr Spavor "since he let us know he was being questioned by Chinese authorities", said Canada's global affairs spokesman Guillaume Berube. "We are working very hard to ascertain his whereabouts and we continue to raise this with the Chinese government."
Mr Kovrig is an analyst on north-east Asia for the International Crisis Group think tank who took a leave of absence from the Canadian government. He lives in Hong Kong.
Mr Spavor runs tours of North Korea along with sports, business and other exchanges through his company, Paektu Cultural Exchange. He has met leader Kim Jong-un and was instrumental in bringing former NBA star Dennis Rodman to the North's capital, Pyongyang, in 2013.
Acquaintances said Mr Spavor was expected in Seoul on Monday but failed to arrive in the South Korean capital.
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Read more:
Huawei CFO's arrest will divide countries over China and US
Trump says he may intervene as Huawei CFO granted bail in Canada
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The detentions echo that of another Canadian, Kevin Garratt, who was detained in 2014 in what was seen as retaliation for Canada's arrest of a suspected Chinese spy wanted in the United States. Garratt was held for 750 days in 2014-16 and sentenced to eight years in prison on spying charges but then deported.
The broadly defined national security charge encompasses both traditional espionage and other forms of information gathering such as interviewing dissidents and contacting non-governmental organisations.
Ms Meng was arrested while changing planes in Vancouver but has been released on bail.
The US accuses Huawei of using a Hong Kong shell company to deceive banks and do business with Iran in violation of US sanctions.
China earlier warned of unspecified dire consequences if Ms Meng was not released.
The editor-in-chief of the Global Times, a Communist Party-run tabloid known for its provocative views, warned in a video on Wednesday night of "retaliatory measures" if Canada did not free the Huawei executive.
"If Canada extradites Meng to the US, China's revenge will be far worse than detaining a Canadian," said Hu Xijin, speaking in English.
Canada has asked China for extra security at its embassy because of protests and anti-Canadian sentiment and has advised foreign service staff to take precautions, a senior Canadian official said.
The United States and China have emphasised that trade talks are separate from Ms Meng's case, although President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would intervene if it would help produce a deal.
"If I think it's good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made — which is a very important thing — what's good for national security — I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary," Mr Trump told Reuters.
The suggestion Ms Meng could be a political pawn makes the situation more awkward for Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau bristled at Mr Trump's assertion, saying: "Regardless of what goes on in other countries, Canada is, and will always remain, a country of the rule of law."
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said it was "quite obvious" any foreign country requesting extradition should ensure "the process is not politicised".
"Trump's remarks could be interpreted as creating the appearance that the arrest also had political motivations," said Gregory Yaeger of the Stroock law firm and a former Justice Department lawyer.
"This could undermine the US's reputation as a country that follows the rule of law, and could ultimately undermine both the Meng prosecution and the trade talks."
Earlier this year, Mr Trump drew fire for intervening on behalf of Huawei's smaller Chinese rival, ZTE, after the company was barred from buying US technology over exports to Iran and North Korea.
Mr Trump restored access after ZTE agreed to pay a $1bn fine, change its board and executives and install a team of US-selected compliance managers.
Also on Thursday, Ministry of Commerce spokesman said Chinese and US officials were in "close contact" over the trade dispute but gave no date for face-to-face talks.
Asked whether a Chinese delegation would go to Washington, spokesman Gao Feng said, "China welcomes the US side to come to China for consultations, and also is open to communicating with the United States."
Mr Gao said the two sides had reached a "common understanding" on agricultural products, energy and automobiles, which the two sides previously announced. He said additional details would be announced later.
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Read more: Huawei suspends orders from Japanese robot maker
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Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Two-litre%20four-cylinder%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E235hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nine-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh167%2C500%20(%2445%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4-litre%20V8%20twin-turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E630hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20Tiptronic%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh599%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Company%20profile
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Company%20Profile
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The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Company%20Profile
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In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
THE RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane
7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m
Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”