Canada's ambassador met in Beijing Friday with a detained former diplomat for the first time since he was arrested in China amid sharpening East-West tensions over trade and other issues.

Michael Kovrig, the former diplomat, and a second Canadian, Michael Spavor, were taken into custody earlier in the week after a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/do-not-politicise-extradition-cases-canada-warns-us-183654">top Chinese tech executive was arrested</a> in Vancouver at the request of the United States.

Canada's foreign ministry said its ambassador to Beijing, John McCallum, was granted consular access to Kovrig and is pressing for access to Spavor. Speaking to The Canadian Press, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau predicted that access would take place "shortly."

"We are being absolutely clear on standing up for our citizens who have been detained, trying to figure out why, trying to work with China to demonstrate that this not acceptable," he told Citytv in Toronto.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Canada's foreign and defence ministers held talks with their US counterparts on the row.

The Canadians were arrested for what China has said is suspicion of "harm to national security" -- a phrase often used by Beijing when alleging espionage.

But the detentions are widely believed to be retaliation for Canada's arrest December 1 of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

Meng was arrested while changing planes in Vancouver, outraging China and sparking a diplomatic standoff between the North American allies and Beijing.

"This is one of the situations you get in when the two largest economies in the world, China and the United States, start picking a fight with each other," Trudeau said.&nbsp;

"The escalating trade war between them is going to have all sorts of unintended consequences for Canada, potentially the entire global economy. We're very worried about that."

The United States has accused her of lying to bankers about the use of a covert subsidiary to sell to Iran in breach of sanctions. If convicted, she faces more than 30 years in prison.

On Tuesday, a Canadian judge ordered Meng's release on Can$10 million ($7.5 million US) bail, pending a US extradition hearing.

Visit shelved

Canadian Tourism Minister Melanie Joly, meanwhile, shelved a trip to China next week to promote tourism.

Since Beijing approved Canada as a tourist destination for its citizens in 2010, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Canada has risen by 20 percent per year to almost 700,000 in 2017.

Ottawa had hoped to double the figure by 2021, opening seven new visa application offices in China this year to facilitate the processing of travel documents. But those targets are now in doubt amid a public backlash in China.

Kovrig, who works for the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank, was being investigated by the Beijing bureau of state security, while the agency's office in northeastern Liaoning province was handling the probe into Spavor, Lu said.

Spavor is a China-based business consultant who facilitates trips to North Korea, met with its leader Kim Jong Un and arranged some of retired NBA star Dennis Rodman's trips to the country.

China's foreign ministry said ICG was not registered in China and its employees would be "in violation" of the law if they engage in activities in the country.

ICG closed its office in the Chinese capital after Beijing passed a law on NGOs, which came into force in 2017, to better control the activities on its soil of foreign organizations.

Kovrig was based in Hong Kong for ICG, working on foreign policy and security issues in the region, particularly on the Korean Peninsula.

Canada's ambassador met in Beijing Friday with a detained former diplomat for the first time since he was arrested in China amid sharpening East-West tensions over trade and other issues.

Canada's ambassador met in Beijing Friday with a detained former diplomat for the first time since he was arrested in China amid sharpening East-West tensions over trade and other issues. Michael Kovrig, the former diplomat, and a second Canadian, Michael Spavor, were taken into custody earlier in the week after a top Chinese tech executive was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the United States. Canada's foreign ministry said its ambassador to Beijing, John McCallum, was granted consular access to Kovrig and is pressing for access to Spavor. Speaking to The Canadian Press, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau predicted that access would take place "shortly." "We are being absolutely clear on standing up for our citizens who have been detained, trying to figure out why, trying to work with China to demonstrate that this not acceptable," he told Citytv in Toronto. Meanwhile, in Washington, Canada's foreign and defence ministers held talks with their US counterparts on the row. The Canadians were arrested for what China has said is suspicion of "harm to national security" -- a phrase often used by Beijing when alleging espionage. But the detentions are widely believed to be retaliation for Canada's arrest December 1 of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecom giant Huawei. Meng was arrested while changing planes in Vancouver, outraging China and sparking a diplomatic standoff between the North American allies and Beijing. "This is one of the situations you get in when the two largest economies in the world, China and the United States, start picking a fight with each other," Trudeau said. "The escalating trade war between them is going to have all sorts of unintended consequences for Canada, potentially the entire global economy. We're very worried about that." The United States has accused her of lying to bankers about the use of a covert subsidiary to sell to Iran in breach of sanctions. If convicted, she faces more than 30 years in prison. On Tuesday, a Canadian judge ordered Meng's release on Can$10 million ($7.5 million US) bail, pending a US extradition hearing. Visit shelved Canadian Tourism Minister Melanie Joly, meanwhile, shelved a trip to China next week to promote tourism. Since Beijing approved Canada as a tourist destination for its citizens in 2010, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Canada has risen by 20 percent per year to almost 700,000 in 2017. Ottawa had hoped to double the figure by 2021, opening seven new visa application offices in China this year to facilitate the processing of travel documents. But those targets are now in doubt amid a public backlash in China. Kovrig, who works for the International Crisis Group (ICG) think tank, was being investigated by the Beijing bureau of state security, while the agency's office in northeastern Liaoning province was handling the probe into Spavor, Lu said. Spavor is a China-based business consultant who facilitates trips to North Korea, met with its leader Kim Jong Un and arranged some of retired NBA star Dennis Rodman's trips to the country. China's foreign ministry said ICG was not registered in China and its employees would be "in violation" of the law if they engage in activities in the country. ICG closed its office in the Chinese capital after Beijing passed a law on NGOs, which came into force in 2017, to better control the activities on its soil of foreign organizations. Kovrig was based in Hong Kong for ICG, working on foreign policy and security issues in the region, particularly on the Korean Peninsula.

Canada granted consular access to ex-diplomat held by China: Official

Days after China detained <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-information-from-chinese-officials-about-detention-of-canadian-diplomat-michael-kovrig-icg-183394">former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig</a>, the Canadian government said today that a second Canadian identified as Michael Spavor was also missing in China.

"We are aware that a Canadian citizen, Mr. Michael Spavor, is presently missing in China," Canadian foreign ministry spokesman Guillaume Berube told AFP.

Spavor's disappearance comes 24 hours after a Canadian<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-freed-on-bail-leaves-courthouse-183504"> court granted Huawei's chief financial officer</a> Meng Wanzhou conditional bail after arresting her on charges of allegedly carrying out transactions with Iran despite US sanctions. Meng's arrest was apparently carried after US officials insisted that Huawei CFO was clandestinely engaging with Iran.

Meng was released on $7.5 million bail by the Vancouver court.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
"We have been unable to make contact since he let us know he was being questioned by Chinese authorities," Berube said adding, "we are working very hard to ascertain his whereabouts and we continue to raise this with the Chinese government."

Spavor who is based in China runs the Paektu Cultural Exchange, an organisation which facilitates business, tourism and sports trips to North Korea. He was responsible for helping NBA Dennis Rodman make the trip to North Korea two years ago.

Chinese authorities had earlier detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig in a move widely seen as a retaliation for Meng's arrest in Vancouver.

"Canadian citizen Michael John Kovrig was on Dec. 10 investigated in accordance with the law by the Beijing State Security Bureau on suspicion of engaging in activities that harm China's state security," China's state-run Beijing News had said.

Kovrig worked for the International Crisis Group (ICG), a think tank based on conflict resolution.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that he ICG was not registered in China as a non-government organisation (NGO) and Kovrig could have broken Chinese law.

"If they are not registered and their workers are in China undertaking activities, then that's already outside of, and breaking, the law, revised just last year, on the management of overseas non-governmental organisations operating in China," Lu said.

Days after China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, the Canadian government said today that a second Canadian identified as Michael Spavor was also missing in China.

Days after China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, the Canadian government said today that a second Canadian identified as Michael Spavor was also missing in China. "We are aware that a Canadian citizen, Mr. Michael Spavor, is presently missing in China," Canadian foreign ministry spokesman Guillaume Berube told AFP. Spavor's disappearance comes 24 hours after a Canadian court granted Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou conditional bail after arresting her on charges of allegedly carrying out transactions with Iran despite US sanctions. Meng's arrest was apparently carried after US officials insisted that Huawei CFO was clandestinely engaging with Iran. Meng was released on $7.5 million bail by the Vancouver court. "We have been unable to make contact since he let us know he was being questioned by Chinese authorities," Berube said adding, "we are working very hard to ascertain his whereabouts and we continue to raise this with the Chinese government." Spavor who is based in China runs the Paektu Cultural Exchange, an organisation which facilitates business, tourism and sports trips to North Korea. He was responsible for helping NBA Dennis Rodman make the trip to North Korea two years ago. Chinese authorities had earlier detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig in a move widely seen as a retaliation for Meng's arrest in Vancouver. "Canadian citizen Michael John Kovrig was on Dec. 10 investigated in accordance with the law by the Beijing State Security Bureau on suspicion of engaging in activities that harm China's state security," China's state-run Beijing News had said. Kovrig worked for the International Crisis Group (ICG), a think tank based on conflict resolution. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that he ICG was not registered in China as a non-government organisation (NGO) and Kovrig could have broken Chinese law. "If they are not registered and their workers are in China undertaking activities, then that's already outside of, and breaking, the law, revised just last year, on the management of overseas non-governmental organisations operating in China," Lu said.

After ex-diplomat, another Canadian national goes missing after questioning by Chinese authorities

China today confirmed that it was investigating<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/detained-in-china-canadian-businessman-known-for-ties-to-north-korean-leader-183690"> two Canadians - Michael Spavor</a> and Michael Kovrig -&nbsp; for&nbsp;'threatening national security' as tensions between the two countries escalated over Huawei CFO Meng's arrest and subsequent bail in Vancouver.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-arrest-fallout-after-ex-diplomat-another-canadian-national-goes-missing-after-questioning-by-chinese-authorities-183587">Lu Kang said former Canadian diplomat</a> Michael Kovrig and business consultant Michael Spavor were put under "compulsory measures" in different measures without elaborating any further.

Canadian foreign ministry spokesman Guillaume Bérubé had said in a statement that Spavor who was missing in China was&nbsp;a businessman who is based in the northern Chinese city of Dandong and runs cultural exchanges with North Korea.&nbsp;

Chinese state media had announced earlier that Spavor, a business consultant, was being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security. Spavor who has close ties to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un went missing after Chinese authorities began interrogating him.

The Canadian government had said earlier that it was unable to contact the businessman ever since he notified the government that he was being questioned by Chinese authorities.

Spavor had helped facilitate trips of former NBA superstar Dennis Rodman to North Korea in 2013. Reports said he was trying to secure investments to North Korea after Kim had concluded a successful summit with President Trump in Singapore in June.

Spavor's questioning comes just days after China opened investigation into ex-Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig who was working for International Crisis Group(ICG), a think tank in Beijing.

China's state-run Beijing News had reported that the Canadian ex-diplomat was suspected of "engaging in activities" that endangered China's national security.

Beijing later said the detained former Canadian diplomat may have violated Chinese laws because ICG was not registered in China.

"If it's not registered and its employees in China are engaged in activities, it is already in violation" of a Chinese law on foreign non-governmental organisations, Lu said.

China's relations with Canada have nosedived in the past week after Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was arrested on December 1st on the insistence of US officials for allegedly carrying out transactions with Iran despite US sanctions.

Although Meng was released on a 7.5 million bail on Wednesday but she has been forbidden from leaving Canada.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SNwVG-codoo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

China today confirmed that it was investigating two Canadians - Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig - for 'threatening national security' as tensions between the two countries escalated over Huawei CFO Meng's arrest and subsequent bail in Vancouver.

China today confirmed that it was investigating two Canadians - Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig - for 'threatening national security' as tensions between the two countries escalated over Huawei CFO Meng's arrest and subsequent bail in Vancouver. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and business consultant Michael Spavor were put under "compulsory measures" in different measures without elaborating any further. Canadian foreign ministry spokesman Guillaume Bérubé had said in a statement that Spavor who was missing in China was a businessman who is based in the northern Chinese city of Dandong and runs cultural exchanges with North Korea. Chinese state media had announced earlier that Spavor, a business consultant, was being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security. Spavor who has close ties to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un went missing after Chinese authorities began interrogating him. The Canadian government had said earlier that it was unable to contact the businessman ever since he notified the government that he was being questioned by Chinese authorities. Spavor had helped facilitate trips of former NBA superstar Dennis Rodman to North Korea in 2013. Reports said he was trying to secure investments to North Korea after Kim had concluded a successful summit with President Trump in Singapore in June. Spavor's questioning comes just days after China opened investigation into ex-Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig who was working for International Crisis Group(ICG), a think tank in Beijing. China's state-run Beijing News had reported that the Canadian ex-diplomat was suspected of "engaging in activities" that endangered China's national security. Beijing later said the detained former Canadian diplomat may have violated Chinese laws because ICG was not registered in China. "If it's not registered and its employees in China are engaged in activities, it is already in violation" of a Chinese law on foreign non-governmental organisations, Lu said. China's relations with Canada have nosedived in the past week after Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was arrested on December 1st on the insistence of US officials for allegedly carrying out transactions with Iran despite US sanctions. Although Meng was released on a 7.5 million bail on Wednesday but she has been forbidden from leaving Canada.

Two Canadians being investigated for threatening national security: China

Canadian<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-cfo-arrest-fallout-after-ex-diplomat-another-canadian-national-goes-missing-after-questioning-by-chinese-authorities-183587"> Michael Spavor </a>has jet skied with Kim Jong Un, felt the ground shake from a North Korean nuclear test, and now it appears, been detained by Chinese authorities.

Spavor, a business consultant with deep ties to North Korea, is being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security, Chinese state media reported. The Canadian government says it has been unable to contact him and phone calls, messages and emails to Spavor went unanswered on Thursday.

When North Korean leader Kim launched a bid to engage the world and attract international investment this year, Spavor was uniquely positioned to play a role.

As one of the few Westerners with personal ties to the North Korea government and Kim himself, Spavor has been trying to drum up international interest in investing in North Korean economic projects, in anticipation of sanctions being eased amid warming ties.

Spavor is best known in the region for his relationship with Kim Jong Un, and his role in facilitating a visit to Pyongyang by American basketball star Dennis Rodman in 2013.

"That was the most amazing experience I've had in my life .. We hung out for three days," Spavor told Reuters in a 2017 interview.

Images from that time show Spavor sharing cocktails with Kim on board one of his private boats, after they had been jet-skiing in the bay next to Wonsan, one of Kim's pet economic development areas.

In 2015, Spavor was involved in efforts to attract more than $150 million in foreign funds for Wonsan, including $39 million to fund a new brewery.

Special access

The investigation into Spavor follows the detention in Beijing on Monday of former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, who Chinese state media report is being investigated on the same charges.

China has reacted angrily to Canada's arrest on Dec. 1 of Chinese executive Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of China's Huawei Technologies, and Spavor's investigation is likely to further escalate the diplomatic row.

Now based in the border city of Dandong in China, Spavor has been cultivating ties between potential Chinese investors and North Korean officials.

Spavor's experience with North Korea dates to at least 2001. In 2005, he lived in Pyongyang for several months teaching at a school run by a Canadian non-governmental organisation, according to the website for his organisation, Paektu Cultural Exchange.

Since then he's mastered the Korean language - with a distinctly North Korean accent - and maintained regular contact with many people in North Korea, including Kim Jong Un.

Spavor's contacts in the isolated and tightly controlled nation have allowed him access when other outsiders were blocked.

In February, North Korea barred most foreign media from covering a large military parade in downtown Pyongyang. Spavor was front and centre in the parade area, streaming online video of tanks rolling by as North Koreans celebrated.

Gregarious and affable, Spavor is a fixture in the small community of North Korea watchers, with analysts and journalists often seeking his rare insight into the country.

Spavor keeps a number of photos of his meetings with Kim on his phone, and describes the North Korean leader as charismatic and smart.

But Spavor also is discrete about his contacts with the controversial regime, declining to comment on politics and noting that his work focuses on cultural and business ties.

"For me, encouraging these sports engagement events, these nonpolitical friendship interactions, promoting these kind of events can show people that Americans and Koreans can get along very well," he said in the 2017 interview. "I guess if we can continue to increase these exchanges, then we hope that has an effect on politicians too."

Sanctions

But North Korea's weapons programmes in defiance of U.N. resolutions and dismal human rights reputation has always been a lingering presence.

In September 2017, Spavor was among those in the Chinese border city of Yanji who said they felt the jolt from North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

Spavor told Reuters at the time he was eating brunch when he felt the building shake for about five seconds, before the city's air raid sirens sounded.

Ahead of a major publicity push by North Korea around its foundation day events in early September, Spavor told Reuters he was taking dozens of Chinese investors and entrepreneurs into North Korea to "attend matchmaking sessions with various government officials and stakeholders as well as visiting existing and future development zones".

There have been some signs that enforcement of sanctions has eased amid diplomatic outreach, but Washington has said sanctions will remain in force until more progress is made toward denuclearising North Korea.

When asked about the sanctions in September, Spavor said his clients "are aware of the current sanctions and are waiting for potential investment projects and other business for when the Chinese government gives the green light on business as usual."

In his latest posts on social media on Monday, Spavor said he was on his way to the South Korean capital of Seoul for new consulting work and meetings with friends.

His friends say he never arrived.

Canadian Michael Spavor has jet skied with Kim Jong Un, felt the ground shake from a North Korean nuclear test, and now it appears, been detained by Chinese authorities.

Canadian Michael Spavor has jet skied with Kim Jong Un, felt the ground shake from a North Korean nuclear test, and now it appears, been detained by Chinese authorities. Spavor, a business consultant with deep ties to North Korea, is being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security, Chinese state media reported. The Canadian government says it has been unable to contact him and phone calls, messages and emails to Spavor went unanswered on Thursday. When North Korean leader Kim launched a bid to engage the world and attract international investment this year, Spavor was uniquely positioned to play a role. As one of the few Westerners with personal ties to the North Korea government and Kim himself, Spavor has been trying to drum up international interest in investing in North Korean economic projects, in anticipation of sanctions being eased amid warming ties. Spavor is best known in the region for his relationship with Kim Jong Un, and his role in facilitating a visit to Pyongyang by American basketball star Dennis Rodman in 2013. "That was the most amazing experience I've had in my life .. We hung out for three days," Spavor told Reuters in a 2017 interview. Images from that time show Spavor sharing cocktails with Kim on board one of his private boats, after they had been jet-skiing in the bay next to Wonsan, one of Kim's pet economic development areas. In 2015, Spavor was involved in efforts to attract more than $150 million in foreign funds for Wonsan, including $39 million to fund a new brewery. Special access The investigation into Spavor follows the detention in Beijing on Monday of former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, who Chinese state media report is being investigated on the same charges. China has reacted angrily to Canada's arrest on Dec. 1 of Chinese executive Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of China's Huawei Technologies, and Spavor's investigation is likely to further escalate the diplomatic row. Now based in the border city of Dandong in China, Spavor has been cultivating ties between potential Chinese investors and North Korean officials. Spavor's experience with North Korea dates to at least 2001. In 2005, he lived in Pyongyang for several months teaching at a school run by a Canadian non-governmental organisation, according to the website for his organisation, Paektu Cultural Exchange. Since then he's mastered the Korean language - with a distinctly North Korean accent - and maintained regular contact with many people in North Korea, including Kim Jong Un. Spavor's contacts in the isolated and tightly controlled nation have allowed him access when other outsiders were blocked. In February, North Korea barred most foreign media from covering a large military parade in downtown Pyongyang. Spavor was front and centre in the parade area, streaming online video of tanks rolling by as North Koreans celebrated. Gregarious and affable, Spavor is a fixture in the small community of North Korea watchers, with analysts and journalists often seeking his rare insight into the country. Spavor keeps a number of photos of his meetings with Kim on his phone, and describes the North Korean leader as charismatic and smart. But Spavor also is discrete about his contacts with the controversial regime, declining to comment on politics and noting that his work focuses on cultural and business ties. "For me, encouraging these sports engagement events, these nonpolitical friendship interactions, promoting these kind of events can show people that Americans and Koreans can get along very well," he said in the 2017 interview. "I guess if we can continue to increase these exchanges, then we hope that has an effect on politicians too." Sanctions But North Korea's weapons programmes in defiance of U.N. resolutions and dismal human rights reputation has always been a lingering presence. In September 2017, Spavor was among those in the Chinese border city of Yanji who said they felt the jolt from North Korea’s sixth and most powerful nuclear test. Spavor told Reuters at the time he was eating brunch when he felt the building shake for about five seconds, before the city's air raid sirens sounded. Ahead of a major publicity push by North Korea around its foundation day events in early September, Spavor told Reuters he was taking dozens of Chinese investors and entrepreneurs into North Korea to "attend matchmaking sessions with various government officials and stakeholders as well as visiting existing and future development zones". There have been some signs that enforcement of sanctions has eased amid diplomatic outreach, but Washington has said sanctions will remain in force until more progress is made toward denuclearising North Korea. When asked about the sanctions in September, Spavor said his clients "are aware of the current sanctions and are waiting for potential investment projects and other business for when the Chinese government gives the green light on business as usual." In his latest posts on social media on Monday, Spavor said he was on his way to the South Korean capital of Seoul for new consulting work and meetings with friends. His friends say he never arrived.

Canadian businessman Spavor being investigated: Chinese state media

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Canada granted consular access to ex-diplomat held by China: Official

After ex-diplomat, another Canadian national goes missing after questioning by Chinese authorities

Two Canadians being investigated for threatening national security: China

Canadian businessman Spavor being investigated: Chinese state media