Michael Kovrig

Beijing kept up its narrative that the arrests of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor – and their releases – were not linked to Meng Wanzhou’s arrest in Canada.

The deferred prosecution agreement paves the way for Meng Wanzhou to be released in a case that has roiled China’s relationships with both Canada and the U.S.

Normalized relations between China and the West should not be taken for granted. The fates of the two Michaels are test cases for the direction Beijing chooses.

The latest hearings wrapped up on August 18 in a case that has attracted international attention and torpedoed Canada-China relations.

Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were detained in China in what critics labeled "hostage politics" in 2018. 

Diplomats were barred from attending the trial of Michael Kovrig, just like at fellow Canadian Michael Spavor’s trial last week.

After two years in detention, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor will face trial for espionage, amid accusations that Beijing is using them for “hostage diplomacy.”

In recent weeks, Australian citizens have been detained in China and Myanmar. 

Beijing's threats against U.S. citizens in China seemingly ignore the central place that "hostage diplomacy" has played in American history.

The latest news in the Meng Wanzhou case barely registered amid COVID-19.

Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor, and Yang Hengjun must be freed.