The former Canadian diplomat detained in China following the arrest of a senior Huawei executive in Vancouver is a gregarious figure known for sharing his insights into Beijing’s opaque policymaking process.
Michael Kovrig, a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group, a policy research non-profit organisation, was detained in Beijing on Monday as Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer and daughter of the telecoms group’s founder, applied for bail in Canada. Ms Meng is fighting extradition to the US, which has accused her of allowing American equipment to be sold to Iran in violation of sanctions. She was released on C$10m bail on Tuesday.
Mr Kovrig was first secretary at the Canadian embassy in Beijing from 2014-2016. He was a well-known — and well-connected — figure among Beijing expats and the international community of China watchers.