Ambassador to China says he ‘misspoke’ regarding Meng Wanzhou’s extradition

CANADA (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s ambassador to China says he “misspoke” when he discussed the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.

In a statement, John McCallum says he regretted his comments, noting he may have created confusion.

“I misspoke,” he wrote. “Canada respects its international legal commitments, including by honouring its extradition treaty with the United States.”

This is after McCallum said the Huawei executive had a strong case to avoid extradition.

RELATED: Canada’s ambassador to China says Huawei’s CFO has a strong case to avoid extradition

His comments were made during a news conference with Chinese language media in Canada on Tuesday.

He also listed several possibilities that could help her with her case, prompting the Opposition Conservatives to demand the prime minister to fire him.

“As Canada’s Ambassador to China, I play no role in assessing any arguments or making any determination in the extradition process,” McCallum wrote. “The Canadian government’s priority – and my priority – is securing the release of the two Canadians arbitrarily detained in China and ensuring that the rights of all of our citizens are protected.”

The Huawei executive was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 1 at the request of the U.S.

-With files from Cormac Mac Sweeney and The Canadian Press

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