Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig boarded a flight from China at about 7:30 pm Eastern Friday night to come to Canada after 1,020 days being held unlawfully by China. The Canadians were held in retaliation for Canada being asked by the United States to detain Huawei chief financial officer (CFO) Meng Wanzhou.
"These two men have gone through an unbelievably difficult ordeal," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. "For the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance, resilience and grace."
Spavor and Kovrig were accompanied by Dominic Barton, Canada's ambassador to China. They were detained on December 10, 2018, 10 days after Meng Wanzhou's arrest in Vancouver.
The flight arrived in Calgary shortly before 8 am Eastern aboard a Royal Canadian Air Challenger aircraft.
Meng Wanzhou might finally know true house arrest thanks to the COVID-19 coronavirus
Why is Meng Wanzhou still in Canada?
Canola farmers in Canada latest pawn in China battle over Meng Wanzhou arrest
Canada paying a price to go along with U.S. desire to arrest Meng Wanzhou
Meng pleaded not guilty in a court Friday to multiple fraud charges as part of her arrangement with U.S. prosecutors. David Kessler, an attorney with the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, said the deferred prosecution agreement will last 4 years from the time of her arrest: December 1, 2022.
Meng's flight back to China also took off around 7:30 pm Eastern.
Justin Trudeau appears on Meet the Press on Canada-U.S. relations
Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau meeting virtually is still important symbolically
The impact of the Joe Biden presidency on Canada
CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage
CanadianCrossing.com U.S. politics coverage
The relationship between the prime minister and U.S. President Joe Biden definitely helped secure the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. Trudeau pointed out the extensive work of diplomats in making this work, singling out Barton in particular.
We were genuinely surprised that the 2 Michaels received very little conversation in the recent Canadian election. The relationship with China and the United States. Five Eyes. Whether Canada will include Huawei in 5G. Somehow, Canada hasn't decided about Huawei and 5G. This seemed like leverage against Huawei and the China government but never seemed to make much of an impact.
Justin Trudeau, Liberals win a third government with back-to-back minority governments
Our 2021 Canadian election coverage comprehensive guide
David L. Cohen, the Biden nominee to finally have a permanent U.S. Ambassador to Canada, was before the Senate this week on that nomination. We know the temporary people serving in that role have done a wonderful job. Having a permanent ambassador, one who says he will show up (unlike the last permanent ambassador) will also help.
David Cohen nominated to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Canada
As much as we have covered this story, there are outside sources to go through if you are late to this story.
Meng Wanzhou 1-year anniversary blog post (Huawei.com)
Is a Canada-China prisoner swap a good idea? (The Current on CBC)
What Canadian universities gain and lose by accepting Huawei funding (Front Burner CBC Radio)
Sanctioned: The Arrest of a Telecom Giant (CBC podcasts)
There will be more to come in the next few days with Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig on Canadian soil.
photo and video credit: CBC News
Comments