Opinion | As Canadians languish in Chinese jails, Meng Wanzhou blogs about her ‘hardship’

The Huawei CFO’s tin-eared blog about her ‘rough road ahead’ is in sharp contrast to the grim fate of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, denied access to lawyers, with no trial date set. Between Canadian rule of law and Beijing’s ‘hostage diplomacy’, there is a clear deficit of fair play

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Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou wears an ankle monitor as she leaves her Vancouver home to attend a Supreme Court hearing on September 30. In between “moments of fear”, Meng finds time to read and paint, according to her December 1 blog. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00am, 8 Dec 2019Updated: 5:54am, 25 Dec 2021

It has been a year since Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver after an extradition request from the United States. In a recent blog she wrote on a Huawei website, Meng noted that a year had passed and describe her experiences over this time.

Before describing her year filled with “moments of fear, pain, disappointment, helplessness, torment, and struggle” however, it is useful to draw some comparisons with a parallel set of incarcerations.

Shortly after Meng was arrested, the Chinese government threatened the Canadian government with severe repercussions unless she were released. Sure enough, within days, when it became clear that Canada would not be immediately releasing Meng, China’s Communist Party followed through by detaining two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, for unspecified “activities jeopardising Chinese national security,” leaving little doubt that their seizure was a reprisal for Meng’s arrest. Some observers have used the term “hostage diplomacy” to describe the actions.

For the past year, the conditions for these two Canadians have been grim. Authorities in China have allowed Kovrig and Spavor only one monthly 30-minute visit with consular authorities, while denying them access to lawyers. Meantime, they have reportedly been subject to intensive interrogation. Released detainees have described the conditions in detention centres as crowded and lacking private bathrooms. Meals are rudimentary – steamed bread and corn congee. Solitary confinement is not unknown.

Meng’s blog is a study in contrasts. On top of her being “stuck” in Vancouver and forced to choose between living in her two mansions, her other restrictions include wearing an ankle bracelet and having an 11pm curfew. Family, friends, lawyers and consular staff are free to visit her, and as long as she stays in Vancouver, she is free to visit them.

In Meng’s blog, she expresses gratitude towards the Canadian people; however, this gratitude is remarkably misplaced. Instead, she should be thanking her lucky stars that she was arrested in a country that upholds the rule of law, presumes all suspects innocent until proven guilty, and allows access to lawyers and consular staff.