I went to bed just after news of a call between Liu He, Lighthizer and Mnuchin, so woke up thinking that the Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's case really could be ring-fenced.
All foreigners living in China are potential hostages, but those with "Five Eyes" government backgrounds are in a special category. Such status is a double-edged sword. Detention or other harassment is a more delicate matter than it might be for others, but if bilateral relations become strained then the target on your back becomes bigger and brighter. The rhetoric from China - describing Canada as a dog or servant of the US (China Radio International) - underlines that the CCP has decided to turn up the heat. US charges against Meng appear to be robust and serious. It is time for foreign organizations in China to exercise proper duty and care and consider reducing foreign staff.
All foreigners living in China are potential hostages, but those with "Five Eyes" government backgrounds are in a special category. Such status is a double-edged sword. Detention or other harassment is a more delicate matter than it might be for others, but if bilateral relations become strained then the target on your back becomes bigger and brighter. The rhetoric from China - describing Canada as a dog or servant of the US (China Radio International) - underlines that the CCP has decided to turn up the heat. US charges against Meng appear to be robust and serious. It is time for foreign organizations in China to exercise proper duty and care and consider reducing foreign staff.