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Podcast: This Matters
Episode: Canada's two Michaels and China's long history of 'hostage diplomacy'
Description: Guest: Joanna Chiu, Toronto Star reporter covering Canada-China relations and author of âChina Unboundâ Itâs been almost three years since former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor (collectively known as the âtwo Michaelsâ) were arrested by the Chinese Communist Party. The move was seen as retaliation against Canadaâs arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who is currently standing trial for possible extradition to the United States. Now, just this month, Michael Spavor was found guilty of espionage charges and sentenced to 11 years in a Chinese prison, while another Chinese court rejected Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenbergâ...