China state media: Canada should distance itself from US - Reuters

As reported by Reuters, Chinese state-controlled media announced early Thursday that Canada should distance itself from American "hegemonism" and free Huawei's Meng Wanzhou, CFO of the company and daughter of Huawei's founder. Meng is currently released on bail from the Canadian judicial courts and awaits a hearing in early 2019.

Key quotes

The United States needs to make a formal extradition request within 60 days of her arrest, which a Canadian judge will weigh to determine whether the case against Meng is strong enough. Then it is up to Canada’s justice minister to decide whether to extradite her.

Meng has no criminal record anywhere in the world and her arrest violates a U.S.-Canada extradition agreement, the Global Times said, adding that Canada could end the crisis immediately by freeing Meng unconditionally, rather than acting as the “51st state” of the United States.

“Canada should distance itself from U.S. hegemonism and fulfill its obligations to help maintain international order and protect human rights,” it said.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland warned the United States on Wednesday not to politicize extradition cases, a day after President Donald Trump said he would intervene in the case if it served national security interests.