Chinese company Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou received a triumphant welcome upon her return to China, less than three years after her arrest by Canadian authorities at the behest of the United States.
Canada dropped extradition proceedings against Ms Meng after she reached a deal with the United States, which was seeking her extradition to bring her to justice for fraud.
Ms. Meng’s arrest sparked a diplomatic crisis between China and Canada, especially after the arbitrary detentions of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, both accused of espionage. The two Canadians were also released and returned to the country on Saturday.
Ms. Meng arrived on an Air China charter plane in Shenzhen, a city in southeast China where Huawei’s head office is located, on Saturday.
She was greeted by airline employees waving Chinese flags. He was given wreaths of flowers. His arrival was broadcast on state television, demonstrating the importance the government attached to the matter.
Wearing a red dress, Ms. Meng thanked the Communist Party and its Secretary General Xi Jinping for the support she received during her detention in Canada.
Unlike the two Canadians who remained in cells throughout their detention, Ms. Meng was under house arrest at her luxurious Vancouver home.
“I have finally returned to the motherland,” said Ms. Meng. Like any Chinese citizen going through a difficult time, I have always felt the warmth and concern of the party, the nation and the people. “
Ms Meng pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in the United States in court proceedings in New York on Friday. U.S. prosecutors said the plea is part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. However, she accepted responsibility for misrepresenting her company’s activities in Iran.
The People’s Daily, the newspaper of the Communist Party, wrote that the conclusion of this case was “a glorious victory for the Chinese people” achieved through “the unremitting efforts of the Chinese government.”
In an emailed statement, Huawei says it will continue to defend itself against the charges.
The US Department of Justice had requested Ms Meng’s extradition on fraud charges over allegations that the Chinese tech company plotted to avoid US sanctions against Iran.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kessler told the court the deal would allow charges against Ms. Meng to be dropped after December 1, 2022 – four years after the date of her arrest – provided she “meets all of her obligations. Under the terms of the agreement.
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