Canadian Consulate Bars Staff From China Trips

Canada has put a temporary ban on its consulate staff in Hong Kong travelling to the mainland for work related purposes, following the detention of a British consulate employee Simon Cheng.

According to Canadian media Global News, the Canadian Government also urged its citizens travelling to Hong Kong to exercise a high degree of caution because of the ongoing demonstrations against the Hong Kong government and Beijing's influence, while those travelling to China are urged to do the same “due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

This comes amid an escalating diplomatic tension between Canada and China that started after the arrest of a Huawei executive in Vancouver.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also had called for de-escalation of Hong Kong protest tensions, angering Beijing which hit back asking him to stay out of the country's internal matters.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo also waded into the row, offering Trudeau support and slamming detention of two Canadians by the mainland authorities late last year. The arrests came days after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.