Vancouver (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A Canadian court yesterday ruled that Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou can be tried in the United States. The decision of the British Columbia Supreme Court does not entail Meng's automatic extradition to the US, where she stands accused of violating international sanctions against Iran.
Meng is the daughter of Ren Zhengfei, founder of the Chinese telecommunications giant. She was arrested in December 2018 in Canada; Washington's request for extradition immediately followed.
In his decision, the Canadian judge concluded that the violations that Meng is accused of in the United States may also constitute a crime in Canada. The extradition process against the Chinese manager can now proceed. A second hearing is due to take place next month to determine whether Canadian police have complied with the law in the arrest procedures. However, the final decision for extradition rests with the Federal Minister of Justice.
The case has provoked a tough political and diplomatic confrontation between China and Canada. Immediately after Meng's arrest, Beijing arrested two Canadian citizens. Ottawa condemned the fact, accusing the Chinese government of using "hostage diplomacy" as a form of pressure.
Commenting on the ruling, the Beijing embassy in Canada said that the Canadian government is Washington's accomplice in a political process that aims to bring down Huawei.
The United States and China are fighting a real technological war. The Trump administration has banned Huawei and other Chinese hi-tech companies. The US has also asked allies and partners to give up Huawei's 5G technology: the Americans suspect that the Chinese giant's ultra-fast internet networks could be exploited by Beijing for espionage.
