For Americans who like stories about the little guy standing up to a big bully, we’ve got
one for you.
Right now, your northern neighbor, Canada, is facing off with rising superpower China.
Why are China and Canada at odds?
Well, the flashpoint for these tensions were Canada’s stubborn determination to follow
the rule of law, an extradition request from the United States for Meng Wanzhou, the CFO
of China’s largest private firm, Huawei.
She was arrest in Vancouver airport on U.S. charges related to the violation of sanctions
against Iran.
Individual Canadians who live in China are Beijing’s hostages in this struggle.
Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was arbitrarily re-tried and sentenced to death in China on
drug charges.
Two other Canadians have been detained despite having committed no crime that we know of:
Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat and Michael Spavor, a businessman.
Both were detained shortly after Meng’s arrest, on national security grounds.
Given Beijing’s track record, there is good reason to fear that they have been abused.
Canada’s government has warned its citizens about traveling to China.
Yet, when Canada expressed concern about the fate of its citizens, China’s Ambassador
to Canada Lu Shaye published an article accusing Canada of “Western egotism and white supremacy.”
Perhaps there is someone, somewhere, who believes China’s stance, that their recent treatment
of Canadian citizens is not retaliatory.
But Canadians know better.
Canada has acted in accordance with the rule of law, its treaty obligations toward America
in arresting Ms. Meng.
She is currently released on bail and staying in Vancouver, where she owns not one but two
luxurious mansions.
On the other hand, Mr. Schellenberg had already been tried and was serving 15 years in prison
when Ms. Meng was detained.
He was then re-tried and given the death sentence in a brief show trial.
In an unusual move, the press was invited to cover the proceedings so that Canadians
would be well aware of the sham being perpetrated.
The two things Americans should take away from this struggle are, first, that the Chinese
Communist Government has revealed itself to be a regime of thugs that will stop at nothing
to get its way, including the threat of judicial murder.
Second, if America wants allies in the struggle over China’s place in the international
order, it will have to show that it backs its friends and confronts its enemies.
Canada is in this pickle because it honored its commitments to America.
It is time for the United States and other allies to show a united front against the
bullying tactics of the Chinese Communist regime.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that China’s actions against Canadians are “unacceptable”
and “politically motivated”, these public statements are welcome.
President Donald Trump has reportedly agreed to put pressure on the regime to free the
Canadians, that’s wonderful too.
But a more coordinated approach is required from Ottawa and Washington.
It’s true that Canada has wavered at times, when the United States has sought the support
of its allies in imposing consequences for bad Chinese Communist behavior.
Whether it was taking action against Chinese anti-trade abuses, blocking participation
of Huawei in the 5G wireless network, or showing strong support for Taiwan, Canada has frequently
fumbled the ball.
But such appeasement is falling out of favor in Canada now, because of the battle over
Ms. Meng.
Canadians know better, that they must respond firmly as China increases the pressure, but
it can’t do it alone.
Firm American support in the face of Chinese belligerence would do much to repair the U.S.-Canada
relationship while putting Beijing on notice that this bad behavior will only further isolate
itself on the international stage.