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OTTAWA — The Canadian government confirmed Tuesday afternoon that a Canadian citizen has been detained in China, in what two of Canada’s former ambassadors to that country say looks like a response to the arrest of a Huawei executive in Vancouver earlier this month.

“We are aware of the situation of the Canadian detained in China,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters. “We have been in direct contact with the Chinese diplomats and representatives. We are engaged in a file which we take very seriously and we are of course providing consular assistance to the family.”

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In a statement to the National Post, Global Affairs Canada spokesman Guillaume Bérubé said no further information can be disclosed “due to provisions of the Privacy Act.”

Earlier reports identified that Canadian as Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat.

Guy Saint-Jacques, who left the post of Canadian ambassador in Beijing just over two years ago, told the Post he worked with Kovrig from 2014 to 2016. Saint-Jacques says he suspects Kovrig will be charged with espionage over the “great,” detailed political research he completed for the Canadian embassy in Beijing, which included speaking with political dissidents.