China welcomes Huawei executive home, Trudeau hugs Canadians freed by Beijing
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This screen grab made from video released on Sept. 25, 2021 by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV shows Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou waving as she steps out of the plane upon arrival following her release, in Shenzhen in China’s southern Guangdong province.
Getty Images Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrived in China on Saturday, ending her near three-year U.S. extradition fight, the same day two Canadians detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days returned home, potentially paving the way for improved ties between China and the two western allies.| China Central Television (CCTV) | Getty Images
Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou arrived in China on Saturday, ending her near three-year U.S. extradition fight, the same day two Canadians detained by Beijing for more than 1,000 days returned home, potentially paving the way for improved ties between China and the two western allies.
Meng Zhengfei’s child was granted permission to return home following an agreement made with U.S.prosecutors to resolve a bank fraud charge against her.
Beijing and Washington are at odds due to the extradition drama. Chinese officials suggested that it was necessary to drop the case in order to reach a peaceful solution.
Two Canadians detained by Chinese authorities just days after Meng’s arrest — Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — were embraced on the tarmac by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after they landed in Calgary.
Trudeau posted photos on Twitter of them welcoming home the Canadians, saying, “You’ve displayed incredible strength, resilience, perseverance, and courage.” Know that Canadians all over the country will be available for you as always.
Canada’s prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at a Press Conference at Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, September 24, 2021. Trudeau said that Michael Kovrig (the Huawei Technologies Co. Chief Financial Office) and Michael Spavor were released by Meng Wenzhou following a settlement with the U.S. to settle their criminal cases.
Getty Images Meng was wearing a patriotic red dress when she stepped off a plane in Shenzhen to greet well-wishers.| Bloomberg | Getty Images
In the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, Meng wore a patriotic red-colored dress as she exited a plane to be greeted by well-wishers.
The Global Times tabloid, which is backed by China’s ruling Communist Party, quoted Meng as saying “I’m finally home.” “The wait in foreign countries was filled with suffering. The moment I touched Chinese soil, my mind was flooded with emotion.
Chinese state media welcomed Meng’s return, but they were silent on Spavor and Kovrig who were released just hours before Meng.
Huawei stated in a statement it looked forward to Ms. Meng’s safe return home to her family. It stated that it would defend itself against U.S. allegations.
Washington’s Chinahawks criticized Joe Biden for signing the agreement, arguing that his administration was bowing to China and one its most important companies in the midst of an international technology rivalry.
Meng was quickly condemned by Republican senators and they urged the White House for an explanation to Congress.
Marco Rubio, in a message sent to Reuters, stated that the release of Ms. Meng “raises serious questions regarding President Biden’s capability and willingness to face the threat posed Huawei/the Chinese Communist Party.”
Senator Jim Risch stated in a statement, that the agreement was “a victory to one of the most cruel and brutal regimes on the planet” and that it would encourage the Communist Party to use foreign citizens “to bargaining chips since it now knows hostage-taking is a winning way for it get what it wants.”
A few Chinese commentators disagreed.
Wu Xinbo is the dean of Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies.
‘Blurring with tears’
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV carried a statement by Meng, written as her plane flew over the North Pole, avoiding U.S. airspace. Meng claimed that her eyes were “blurring from tears” while she approached the “great motherland”.
Meng was arrested in Vancouver in December 2018. She had been charged with trying to hide the attempts of Huawei-linked firms to sell Iran equipment in violation of U.S. sanctions.
Nicole Boeckmann, acting U.S. Attorney said Meng “had taken responsibility for her primary role in perpetuating the scheme to defraud global financial institutions.”
Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry said that the accusations against Meng were “fabricated” to try and suppress China’s high-tech industry.
A crowd of well-wishers cheered patriotic slogans at Meng Wanzhou’s airport, Shenzhen. They also held up red banners in a welcome sign for her return.
Liu Dan said, “The fact Meng Wanzhou is not guilty of any crime and can be released is a major victory in politics as well diplomacy for Chinese people.”
Xinhua, the Chinese state news agency, said Meng was freed due to “unremitting efforts” by the Chinese government.
Hu Xijin (editor in chief at the Global Times) wrote that Meng’s three-year tenure had caused “international chaos”.
He stated, “No arbitrarily detention of Chinese persons is permitted.”
Hu and other local media did not mention the release of Spavor or Kovrig. Reactions on China’s Weibo social media site have also been sparse.
China’s foreign ministry did not make any public comments.
China had previously said that they did not participate in “hostage diplomacy,” insisting instead that Meng was not involved in the Canadians’ arrests and detentions.
Spavor, who was charged with supplying photos of military equipment to Kovrig in August, was sentenced to eleven years imprisonment. Kovrig was still awaiting sentence.
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