West's double standard on display once again: China Daily editorial

Canada is seeking support from its Western allies in an apparent attempt to exert greater pressure on China over the latter's detention of two Canadian citizens. So far, both the United States and the European Union have chosen to side with Canada. But just like truth does not automatically lie with those who speak the loudest in a quarrel, this does not mean their demand is reasonable.

China's Foreign Ministry confirmed on Wednesday that compulsory measures have been taken in accordance with the law against two Canadian nationals, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, as they are suspected of engaging in activities that endanger China's national security.

Prior to that, on Dec 1, Canadian authorities detained Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, at the request of the US authorities. Canada has demanded immediate release of its own citizens who are suspected of breaking China's laws while so far ignoring China's rightful demand to release Meng who has broken no Canadian laws.

The entirely different stance taken by Canada and its Western allies on the two separate cases has laid bare the double standard those countries tend to apply in international relations.

For one thing, the treatment toward Meng upon her detention was is a blatant violation of Meng's rights, and runs counter to what Western countries continually preach on human rights issues in the world arena.

Over the years, Western countries have dressed themselves up as guardians of international human rights, but the detention and treatment of Meng has exposed their hypocrisy and double standard in this regard.

Meng was detained allegedly on charges that she and her company misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. But international practice shows similar disputes were usually resolved through business means.

The two Canadians were detained on suspicion of violating China's national security, and the Chinese authorities would not have taken measures without solid evidence. But out of the Western bias against China, these two cases are being used as an excuse to criticize China's legal and business environment.

This is self-evident in the EU's statement, which says: “The declared motive for the arrest and detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, both Canadian nationals, raises concerns about legitimate research and business practices in China.”

Western countries' resorting to such a double standard does not help resolve the current skirmish between China and Canada. They need a just and objective lens to see through the disputes which was started by the US in the first place.