Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou leaves the Supreme Court of British Columbia after a hearing, in Vancouver, Canada, on May 27, 2020. (DON MACKINNON / AFP)

BEIJING - China urged Canada on Monday to immediately release Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou and let her return to China safely to bring bilateral relations back on the right track, according to a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Under the pretext of 'at the request of the United States,' Canada arbitrarily took compulsory measures on a Chinese citizen, which severely violated her legitimate rights and interests.

Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman

According to media reports, about 100 former Canadian diplomats recently sent a joint letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in which they called for the swap of Meng for two detained Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. They claimed that the dispute had not only harmed bilateral ties but also hurt Canada's ability to handle international affairs.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing that China's position on the Meng Wanzhou case is clear and firm. 

"Under the pretext of 'at the request of the United States,' Canada arbitrarily took compulsory measures on a Chinese citizen, which severely violated her legitimate rights and interests," Wang said.

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The nature of the Meng Wanzhou case is entirely different from that of the cases of the two Canadians, Wang said, noting that Meng's case is a serious political incident, whereas Kovrig and Spavor are suspected of conducting activities endangering China's national security.

"The Chinese judicial organs handle cases independently and the lawful rights of the two Canadians are guaranteed," he said.

Wang pointed out that it was precisely what Canada has done on the Meng case that caused the current difficulties in China-Canada relations. 

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"We urge Canada to earnestly respect China's solemn position and concerns, release Meng at once and ensure her safe return to China, so as to create conditions for the bilateral relationship to get back on the right track," Wang said.