- Daughter of tech giant’s founder due to appear in a Vancouver court as she fights attempt to send her to US to face fraud charges
- Former executive is accused of misleading HSBC to evade American sanctions on Iran
China has urged Canada to release Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who is due to face her long-awaited extradition hearing on Monday.
The 47-year-old daughter of the company's founder Ren Zhengfei has been under house arrest in house arrest in Vancouver after being detained in December 2018.
The US authorities have requested her extradition to stand trial in the US on 13 criminal counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction related to what prosecutors say was a scheme by Huawei to misrepresent itself to HSBC to evade US sanctions on Iran.
The first phase of Meng's extradition hearing in Vancouver is expected to begin on Monday and run until Thursday.
The court will hear arguments from both sides on whether Meng's case meets the "double criminality" standard " that her alleged actions were criminal in both Canada and the US " needed to extradite her.
Huawei's ties with Iran known to HSBC before Meng Wanzhou arrest, documents show
Meng's case has fuelled tensions between the US and China and has also seriously damaged Beijing's relationship with Canada.
Soon after Meng's arrest, China detained two Canadians, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor, on suspicion of espionage in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release Meng.
Geng Shuang, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, reiterated Beijing's call for Canada to release Meng on Monday.
"The Chinese side's position has been consistent and clear. The US and Canada abused their bilateral extradition treaty, arbitrarily detained a Chinese citizen and seriously violated the rights of the Chinese citizen. This is a serious political incident," Geng told a regular press conference on Monday.
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"We once again urge the Canadian side to seriously address China's position and concerns, right its wrongdoings, and to release Meng Wanzhou as early as possible for her to return safely to China."
On Tuesday Ren is due to address the World Economic Forum in Davos. Chinese vice-premier Han Zheng and US President Donald Trump are also expected to be there.
It is unclear whether officials from both sides will meet and discuss Meng's case at the forum.
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