Editor’s Note: People’s Daily published a commentary by Zhong Sheng on the detention of Meng Wanzhou, saying that the Canadian side could avoid paying a heavy price for it by correcting mistakes, not infringing on the legal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, and giving the Chinese people a proper account. The following is a translation extracted from it:
Photos: VCG
What the Canadian government has done is shocking to the international community. Chinese citizen and chief financial officer of Huawei, Meng Zhouzhou, who transferred to Vancouver, Canada was detained by the Canadian side based on a US request. This is a serious violation of the legal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. It is not a law-based action.
In the absence of a clear reason, the detention of a person constitutes a flagrant violation of his/her rights.
The Canadian police even arbitrarily ignored the spirit of the law and presumed her guilt, putting handcuffs and shackles on Meng.
Such groundless treatment of a Chinese citizen is severe punishment, grossly tramples on her basic rights and insults his personal dignity.
All these improper actions are meant to suppress the Chinese company Huawei. This has exposed some people's plot, but it is destined to ultimately hurt themselves.
As a corporation with over 2,000 suppliers, Huawei is very influential in the world.
After media reports of Meng’s arrest, the US stock market fell sharply.
Market analysts noted that the incident heightened market uncertainty.
China is not making trouble, and our country is never afraid of it either.
No one should underestimate China’s confidence, will and strength.
After learning about the situation, the Chinese side immediately provided consular assistance to Meng.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng urgently summoned Canadian Ambassador to China John McCallum on Saturday to make solemn representations and strong protests against the detention of a senior executive of Huawei on December 8.
The Chinese side strongly urges the Canadian side to immediately release the detainee and protect the legal and legitimate rights and interests of the person involved. Otherwise, there will be serious consequences, and Canada must bear full responsibility for it.
The Canadian side must think clearly as there is no vagueness between justice and arbitrariness. The Canadian side could avoid paying a heavy price by correcting mistakes, stop infringing on the legal and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens immediately, and give the Chinese people a proper explanation.
(Compiled by Dong Feng)