McCallum says he regretted his comments

John McCallum issued a statement apologizing for the comments he made on Tuesday

Canada's ambassador to China says he 'misspoke' about Meng Wanzhou's extradition case

CANADA (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s ambassador to China says he “misspoke” when he discussed the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.

In a statement, John McCallum says he regretted his comments, noting he may have created confusion.

“I misspoke,” he wrote. “Canada respects its international legal commitments, including by honouring its extradition treaty with the United States.”

This is after McCallum said the Huawei executive had a strong case to avoid extradition.

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His comments were made during a news conference with Chinese language media in Canada on Tuesday.

He also listed several possibilities that could help her with her case, prompting the Opposition Conservatives to demand the prime minister to fire him.

“As Canada’s Ambassador to China, I play no role in assessing any arguments or making any determination in the extradition process,” McCallum wrote. “The Canadian government’s priority – and my priority – is securing the release of the two Canadians arbitrarily detained in China and ensuring that the rights of all of our citizens are protected.”

Statement from Canada’s Ambassador to China says he “misspoke” when he discussed the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/xgSP5gLxcG — Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) January 24, 2019

The Huawei executive was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 1 at the request of the U.S.

-With files from Cormac Mac Sweeney and The Canadian Press