CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - In the midst of the diplomatic fallout surrounding the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye has cancelled a planned visit to Prince Edward Island.
Meetings had been planned on Monday between the ambassador and Premier Wade MacLauchlan, Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry and members of the Island’s business community. Shaye had also planned a meeting with editorial staff of The Guardian.
The Chinese Embassy has condemned the arrest of Wanzhou and has pledged to “resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens”.
Canada’s exports to China are currently valued at more than $18 billion. Huawei is one of the largest tech companies based in China.
Wanzhou was arrested at the request of US law enforcement authorities while transiting between flights at the Vancouver International Airport.
During a hearing at the B.C. Supreme Court last Friday, the court heard that Wanzhou is "charged with conspiracy to defraud multiple international institutions." Crown counsel allege Wanzhou used a shell company to skirt international American sanctions on Iran.
