Politics
16:17, 12-Dec-2018
Beijing: Kovrig's organization not registered in China
Updated
15:23, 15-Dec-2018
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China's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that it had no information to provide on the detention of a former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, adding that the organization he's currently employed with is not registered in China.
"As far as I know, the International Crisis Group (ICG) which he's currently employed with is not registered in China. In that case, if the group's employees carry out any activities in China it would be a violation of the Administration of Activities of overseas Nongovernmental Organizations in the Chinese mainland," said Lu Kang, a spokesperson for the ministry at a regular press conference.
If Kovrig was detained, China will handle the issue according to laws and regulations, Lu noted. "As long as all foreigners in China abide by Chinese laws and regulations, there is nothing to worry about."
The ICG said on Tuesday that its employee, Kovrig, was detained in China.
Kovrig worked with Canada's foreign affairs ministry between 2010 and 2016. He has been working as a senior adviser with ICG since 2017.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Wednesday that Ottawa is seeking consular access to Kovrig.