Huawei case: We hope that Canada understands consequences of siding with US, says China

ChinahopesCanadaunderstandstheconsequencesofsidingwith the United States and doing its bidding,China's foreign ministry said on Friday after USVice President Mike Pence called for the release of two Canadians detained inChina.

Chinese authorities detained Canadian businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig in December, shortly afterCanadaarrestedChina-based Huawei Technologies Co Ltd's Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou, on a US warrant.

She faces extradition to the United States on charges she conspired to defraud global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran. She and the company have denied the charges andChinahas called for her release.

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Asked about Pence comments that USPresident Donald Trump would speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the detained Canadians at a G20 meeting in Japan in June, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang impliedCanadawas to blame for its problems inChina.

"We hope that the Canadian side will come to understand the fullconsequencesof pulling chestnuts from the fire on behalf of the United States, and not inflict more harm on themselves," Geng told reporters, without elaborating.

Pence, who has taken a hard line onChina, discussed the detained Canadians with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Thursday, where they also talked about Huawei andChinatrade issues.

Kovrig and Spavor were formally charged with espionage this month.Chinahas also cut off imports of key Canadian commodities in an effort to press it.

Canadahas called the arrests arbitrary.

During his visit, Pence thankedCanadafor standing up for the rule of law in detaining Meng.

WhileCanadasaysChinahas made no specific link between the detentions of the two men and Meng's arrest, experts and former diplomats say they have no doubt it isusing their cases to pressureCanada.