Canada Warns Travellers About Risks of Arbitrary Detention in China

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Monday's update for Canada's travel advisory on China comes after Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was given the death penalty on drug-smuggling charges after appealing his initial 15-year jail term. He will now have 10 days to challenge the ruling.

"Exercise a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws", the note reads, citing "death penalty, penalties for drug-related offences."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was extremely concerned about this turn of events, which coincided with a process in Canada against a senior executive from China’s telecoms giant Huawei.

READ MORE: Chinese Envoy Accuses Canada of ‘White Supremacy’ in Huawei Arrest Case

Sino-Canadian relations have worsened since the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Chinese high-tech giant Huawei, in Vancouver at the request of US authorities on suspicions of violating Washington’s Iran sanctions. The move was slammed by Beijing, who called on Ottawa to release the official.

Huawei has also faced suspicions in the United States and several other countries that its equipment could be used by China for spying. The company has rejected the allegations.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have reportedly detained ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor on charges of threatening national security.

READ MORE: Czech Agencies, Companies to Face Audit Over Use of Huawei Products — Babis