On the 11th, a Chinese court sentenced a Canadian defendant, who was charged with providing state secrets abroad, to 11 years in prison.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused him of "absolutely unacceptable", raising the possibility of further chilling relations between the two countries.
On the 11th, a court in Dandong, Liaoning Province, northeastern China, sentenced Canadian Michael Spava, who was charged with providing state secrets abroad, to 11 years in prison.
Mr. Spava was detained in December 2018 and was perceived as a retaliation by the Chinese side because Meng Wanzhou, vice chairman of Chinese telecommunications equipment giant Huawei, had just been arrested by Canadian authorities at the request of the United States. I did.
In Canada, a final hearing is being held to decide whether to hand over Vice Chairman Meng to the United States, and the decision on the 11th in China diplomatically asked Canada to release Vice Chairman Meng unconditionally. It seems that there is also the aim of applying pressure.
In response to the ruling, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement, accusing him of "the ruling is absolutely unacceptable and unjustified."
In China, on the 10th, another Canadian defendant who was sentenced to death in the first instance was sentenced to maintain the death penalty in the second instance trial, which the Canadian side has strongly criticized, and from now on, China and Canada The relationship is even more likely to get colder.
Prime Minister of Canada "Judgment is absolutely unacceptable and unjust"
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement, accusing him of "the decision is absolutely unacceptable and unjustified."
He was sentenced after more than two and a half years of detention, noting that the legal process was not transparent and did not even meet the minimum standards of international law.
He emphasized that he would continue his efforts for liberation, saying, "We will continue to work day and night so that we can return to Japan as soon as possible."
Canada's Foreign Minister Garnot also issued a statement strongly condemning China's ruling.
US Embassy in Beijing also accused "means of negotiating humans"
The US Embassy in Beijing has commented that it condemns the decision against Canadian Michael Spava.
He also pointed out that "a blatant attempt to use humans as a means of negotiation has been severely criticized by the international community," and also a Canadian diplomat on leave who was detained at the same time. He says he will unconditionally seek immediate release.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Watch with concern from the beginning"
At a regular press conference, Foreign Press Secretary Yoshida of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Japan has been paying close attention to this decision since the beginning of the incident. For Japan, freedom, which is a universal value in the international community, I believe it is important that respect for basic human rights and the rule of law be guaranteed in China as well. "