Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying speaks at a press briefing on January 23, 2019. (Photo: fmprc.gov.cn)

A US extradition request to Canada for Huawei's Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou neither complies with international law nor is legitimate, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a press briefing Wednesday.

The extradition request claim is essentially related to the US sanctions on Iran, Hua noted while responding to a question about whether the US move would impact Sino-US relations.

"As you may all have known, Huawei many times has solemnly stated that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations where it operates," Hua said.

China has been opposing the US unilateral sanctions on Iran outside the framework of the UN Security Council, she noted. 

(File Photo: Meng Wanzhou)

"What the US has done does not accord with international law and has been opposed by the whole world, including US allies. The Canadian side is also opposed to that," she said.

"Therefore, the US actions, fundamentally speaking, do not comply with international law and are not legitimate at all. Its actions are highly political and are in nature technology bullying."

"The real motive of the US side is clear for all to see, which is leaving no stones unturned in oppressing China's hi-tech companies and depriving China of its legitimate development rights. I believe that whoever that sees things clearly and has a sense of justice should voice their firm opposition."

Meng was detained on December 1 in Vancouver and released on bail 10 days later. The deadline for the US to file a formal extradition request is January 30, 60 days after the original arrest. 

(Compiled by Huang Jingjing)