China demands the release of Huawei chief financial officer

China on Thursday demanded from Canada and the US the immediate release of Huawei chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, and a clarification of the reasons for detention, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a daily news conference.

The Chinese embassy in Canada on Wednesday voiced its "firm opposition" to the reported arrest of Meng Wanzhou.

The Canadian police, at the request of the US, arrested a Chinese citizen who did not violate any US or Canadian laws, the embassy said in a statement posted on its official website.

"The Chinese side expressed firm opposition and strong protest against such gross violations of human rights," it said. "The Chinese side has made solemn representations to the United States and Canada, demanding that they immediately correct the wrongdoing and restore the personal freedom of Ms. Meng Wanzhou."

The embassy said it will pay close attention to the development of the case and take every action to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, according to the statement.

Huawei said on Thursday it complies with all applicable laws and regulations where it operates, including applicable export control and sanction laws and regulations of the UN, US and EU.

"The company has been provided very little information regarding the charges and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng," Huawei said in a statement, "The company believes the Canadian and US legal systems will ultimately reach a just conclusion."

Canadian authorities said on Wednesday that they have arrested Meng for possible extradition to the United States, The Associated Press reported. It cited Canada's Justice Department spokesman Ian McLeod as saying Meng was detained in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday.