State Department calls on China to release detained Canadian citizens

“Secretary of State Pompeo and Foreign Minister Champagne have discussed the arbitrary detention of two Canadian citizens: Michael Spayvor and Michael Kovrig,” the State Department said.

#FriendsPartnersAllies sums up the important US- # Canada relationship. Today @SecPompeo spoke with @FP_Champagne about joint efforts to advance democracy in #Venezuela and #Cuba. pic.twitter.com/siARLVumhz

The department noted that the United States is on the side of Canada and urges Beijing to "immediately release both men", rejecting the "use of these unreasonable detentions to blackmail Canada."

In December 2018, it was reported that former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig was detained during his visit to Beijing.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to continue to work diligently with the Allies to free the citizens of his country.