Canada says it is trying to make contact with a second Canadian being investigated by China on suspicion of harming its national security. News that businessman Michael Spavor was missing emerged soon after the arrest of ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig.
Tension between China and Canada has grown since it arrested a Chinese businesswoman at the request of the US. Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer at telecoms giant Huawei, could face extradition as a consequence. She is suspected of violating US sanctions on Iran through Huawei’s business dealings.
China has threatened unspecified consequences if she is not released. Michael Spavor is a businessman based in Dandong, near the Chinese border with North Korea. He has deep ties to the North Korean government. Ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig currently works for a think tank, the International Crisis Group (ICG), which has said it is concerned for his health and safety.
Both men were apparently detained following the arrest of Ms Meng although after the detention of Mr Kovrig, Canada said there was currently no “explicit indication” of any link. Canadian officials said the reason for Mr Kovrig’s detention remained unclear while Chinese state media have reported that he is being held “on suspicion of engaging in activities that harm China’s state security”.
At a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Mr Kovrig’s case had been raised directly with Chinese officials.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guillaume Bérubé confirmed that Mr Spavor was “presently missing in China” after Ms Freeland said a second Canadian had contacted them earlier in the week because “he was being asked questions by Chinese authorities”. Canada is working hard to determine Mr Spavor’s whereabouts, Mr Bérubé said,
China state media confirmed on Thursday that, as with the previous arrest, Mr Spavor was under investigation on suspicion of “engaging in activities that endanger China’s national security”. Mr Spavor runs an organisation called Paektu Cultural Exchange, which organises business, culture and tourism trips to North Korea.
