The detention of Meng Wanzhou, at the request of the US, angered China and made Canadian-Chinese relations tense. Amid that controversial situation with Huawei’s CFO Meng, Justin Trudeau fires Canada’s ambassador to China.
The Canadian prime minister announced he has fired John McCallum, Canada’s ambassador to China after veteran diplomat’s unacceptable comments Mr McCallum made about an extradition case. That ambassador’s move made Mr Trudeau ask John McCallum to step down but did not offer a reason.
“Last night I asked for and accepted John McCallum’s resignation as Canada’s ambassador to China,” reads Trudeau’s statement. The text also thanks him and diplomat and his family for their service Canadians honourably over decades.
For Mr McCallum’s career, this week was crucial. On Tuesday, he caused controversy after he was publicly arguing that the US extradition request for Ms Meng was seriously flawed. His Wednesday’s statement was saying that he “misspoke” and regretted that his comments had created “confusion”. despite all these explanations, on Friday, ambassador was quoted as saying it would be “great for Canada” if the US dropped the request.
Ms meng’s arrest caused tension in Canadian-Chinese relations
Huawei CFO’s arrest has led to rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and China, two other Canadians were arrested following the detention of Ms Meng.
While China experts believe that the arrests were a tit-for-tat response to her detention, the US prosecutors are expected to file a formal extradition request with Canada soon.
China’s foreign ministry has urged US officials to withdraw the arrest order and refrain from moving ahead with the extradition request. Ms Meng was released on bail by a Canadian court last month.
