Canadian Minister to China Ni Jemin (left) and Chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in China Ke Youwei (center) were unable to enter the courtroom on the 22nd to observe the trial of Kang Mingkai.
The trial of Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat detained by China for espionage, began today (22) at the Second Intermediate People’s Court in Beijing. The possibility of a guilty verdict. Analysis suggests that Kang and another Canadian businessman charged with espionage may eventually reach a diplomatic agreement and be released to China. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the Canadian embassy staff for interfering with China’s judicial sovereignty by dictating to the Chinese side how to handle cases of Canadian citizens in China in accordance with the law.
Speaking at the hearing today, Kang’s wife, Najibullah, said that both Kang and Michael Spavor were implicated in the political controversy and that the Chinese were unjustifiably detaining them, but that the focus now needed to be on ensuring their freedom.
Najibullah also told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that she has accepted the possibility of a conviction for Kang Mingkai because the Chinese courts have a conviction rate of more than 99 percent. She said, “We know very little, so it’s hard to predict exactly what’s going to happen, but I think the situation is not too far off from Spivey.” ,
She added: “The words of solidarity and support are great and we have to keep saying them, but now action must be taken, along with the governments of Canada, the United States and China working together diplomatically to figure out a way forward to really make a difference for both Cummings and Spivey.”
Canadian Minister to China Jim Nickel went to the Second Intermediate People’s Court in Beijing this morning but was unable to gain access, telling reporters that his earlier request to sit inside the courtroom was denied. Reuters reports that a total of 28 diplomats from 26 countries, including William Klein, chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in China, also appeared outside the court to show solidarity with Canada.
The court said it would deliver its verdict on a later date. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the Chinese Communist authorities’ approach as totally unacceptable.
The Chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in China, Ke Youwei (center), was asked to leave the Beijing Intermediate People’s Court on 22nd. Euronews – EFE
Reuters cited an analysis that said it is believed both Canadians will be convicted, but that a diplomatic agreement could eventually be reached that would allow them to be released to their Home countries.
The news of the two men’s trial was released by the Canadian government on the eve of talks between top U.S. and Chinese officials in Alaska last week. A U.S. official said the two men’s cases were discussed in a meeting between U.S. and Chinese diplomats, and the U.S. side expressed concern that diplomats were unable to attend the trial.
The arrests of Kang Mingkai and Spivey occurred shortly after huawei Vice Chairman Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada, and China has repeatedly denied that the arrests of the two Canadian citizens were related to the Meng case. However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has quoted Najibullah as saying that Canada’s justice minister has the power to terminate Meng’s extradition proceedings at any Time, which would facilitate the resolution of the issue of the two Canadian citizens, making it a “hostage diplomacy”.
In a regular press conference today, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying criticized Canadian embassy personnel in China for dictating to the Chinese side how to handle the cases of Canadian citizens in China in accordance with the law, and strongly opposed interference in China’s judicial sovereignty.
Hua Chunying said that China protects the rights of Kang Mingkai and Spivey, and the case involves national security, so it is unimpeachable that the trial is not open to the public according to the law.
The case of Meng Wanzhou is a political matter, and she criticized Canada for playing the role of an accomplice and an accomplice, and demanded the immediate release of Meng.
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