FMPRC Press Conference, June 19, Canadian Hostages Q & A

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Transcript in English

Transcript in Chinese

The Globe and Mail: We’ve seen charges now filed formally against Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. They were arrested 557 days ago. We have seen charges, but we haven’t seen any evidence against them. Can you please tell us what they are alleged to have done? What secrets did they allegedly steal? What secrets did they allegedly and illegally provide to overseas entities?

加拿大《环球邮报》记者：我们注意到康明凯和迈克尔已被提起公诉。他们已被拘押了557天，但我们只看到了指控，并未看到具体证据。他们被指控为境外刺探、非法提供国家秘密，请问他们具体做了什么，刺探并向境外实体提供了哪些国家秘密？

Zhao Lijian: On Michael Kovrig’s case, after due investigation, the Beijing Municipality People’s Procuratorate Second Branch formally prosecuted Michael Kovrig, who is of Canadian citizenship, in the Beijing Municipality Second Intermediate People’s Court on June 19, 2020, for secretly gathering state secrets and intelligence for overseas forces.

赵立坚：关于康明凯案，经依法审查，2020年6月19日，北京市人民检察院第二分院以为境外刺探国家秘密、情报罪，将加拿大籍被告人康明凯起诉至北京市第二中级人民法院。

The indictment charged the accused Michael Kovrig of secretly gathering state secrets and intelligence for overseas organizations with particularly serious circumstances, which violated Article 111 of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China. The facts are clear and evidence solid and sufficient. The defendant should be held accountable for criminal responsibilities under the above-mentioned charge.

起诉书指控被告人康明凯为境外组织刺探我国家秘密、情报，情节特别严重，其行为触犯了《中华人民共和国刑法》第一百一十一条之规定，犯罪事实清楚，证据确实、充分，应当以为境外刺探国家秘密、情报罪追究其刑事责任。

On Michael Spavor’s case, after due investigation, the People’s Procuratorate in Dandong, Liaoning Province, formally prosecuted Michael Spavor, who is of Canadian citizenship, in the Intermediate People’s Court in Dandong on June 19, 2020, for secretly gathering state secrets and illegally providing them to overseas forces.

关于迈克尔案，经依法审查，6月19日，辽宁省丹东市人民检察院以为境外刺探、非法提供国家秘密罪，将加拿大籍被告人迈克尔·斯帕弗起诉至丹东市中级人民法院。

The indictment charged the accused Michael Spavor of secretly gathering state secrets and illegally providing them to overseas forces during his stay in China with particularly serious circumstances, which violated Article 111 of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China. The facts are clear and evidence solid and sufficient. The defendant should be held accountable for criminal responsibilities under the above-mentioned charge.

起诉书指控被告人迈克尔·斯帕弗在华期间为境外刺探、非法提供我国家秘密，情节特别严重，其行为触犯了《中华人民共和国刑法》第一百一十一条之规定，犯罪事实清楚，证据确实、充分，应当以为境外刺探、非法提供国家秘密罪追究其刑事责任。

[…]

Reuters: I just want to follow up on the question about the Canadians. We understand from the Chinese envoy in Canada last month that access to consular visits has been cut off during the coronavirus. Now these men have been formally charged. Do they have access to consular visits?

路透社记者：关于加拿大公民的追问，上个月，我们从中国驻加拿大大使处得知，新冠肺炎疫情期间无法进行领事探视。现在这两人已被正式起诉，现在他们能否享有接受领事探视的权利？

Zhao Lijian: The Chinese side provides convenience to foreign consular officials in China in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, relevant bilateral agreements, and Chinese laws and regulations. In light of the ongoing pandemic and out of concern for the safety of the detainees, consular visits to detainees have been suspended, and will be resumed when the situation gets better. I refer you to competent authorities for more specifics.

赵立坚：中方有关部门一贯按照《维也纳领事关系公约》、有关中外双边领事条约或协定、中国有关法律法规为外国驻华领事官员履行领事职务提供便利。疫情期间，为保证在押人员安全，中国有关部门暂缓安排对有关在押人员的领事探视，待疫情缓和后再恢复。具体情况可向主管部门了解。

[…]

The Globe and Mail: I just want to ask you to clarify something about the charges against Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. You used the word that the charges were under “particularly serious circumstances.” In China’s Criminal Law, says in one section on state secrets that such charges can be punished with life in prison. In another section it says such serious circumstances can be punished with the death penalty. Could Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor be sentenced to death for these charges?

加拿大《环球邮报》记者：关于迈克尔、康明凯案，你刚才使用了“情节特别严重”的措辞。根据《中华人民共和国刑法》关于国家秘密等章节，此类罪名可判处无期徒刑。另一章节称情节严重者可判处死刑。那么，这两名加拿大公民是否有可能被判死刑？

Zhao Lijian: I don’t answer hypothetical questions. Charges have been filed now which will then be followed by trials.

赵立坚：我不回答假设性问题。目前是提起公诉，后面才进入审判阶段。

The Globe and Mail: Just to clarify. My question was not a hypothetical question. You used very specific language that the charges are particularly serious, and China’s Criminal Law includes two references to charges that are particularly serious. In one instance, it refers to a maximum penalty of life in prison, and in another instance, it refers to a maximum penalty of the death penalty. And I’m asking to which you are referring.

加拿大《环球邮报》记者：[Just to clarify.] 我刚才的问题不是假设性问题。你用了很具体的措辞，说“情节特别严重”。《中华人民共和国刑法》中有两处提到该措辞，一处最高可判无期徒刑，另一处最高可判死刑。我问的是你指的是哪种情况？

Zhao Lijian: I have made myself clear. Charges have been filed now which will then be followed by trials. I suggest some patience.

赵立坚：我刚才已经说得很清楚了，目前的阶段是对这两名加拿大公民提起公诉，然后才进入审判阶段。请你耐心等待。

Reuters: Just one further question on the Canadians. This comes quite soon after developments in Meng Wanzhou’s case and a lot of people have said that they are linked. Does the ministry have any comment on that and how this decision was coming very close to the recent decision to Meng Wanzhou’s case?

路透社记者：还是关于加拿大公民被提起公诉，中方提起公诉的时间正值孟晚舟相关审理结束不久之后。很多人认为二者之间存在联系。中方对此有何评论？

Zhao Lijian: On the cases regarding the two Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, China has stated its position repeatedly and I just gave you some updates. China is a country with rule of law. Chinese judicial organs handle the cases independently and protect the two Canadians’ lawful rights in accordance with law.

赵立坚：关于加拿大公民康明凯案和迈克尔案，中方已多次表明立场，刚才我也通报了最新进展。中国是法治国家，中国司法机关依法独立办案，同时依法保障有关加公民合法权利。

China’s position on the Meng Wanzhou case is consistent and clear. The US and Canada abused their bilateral extradition treaty and arbitrarily took compulsory measures against a Chinese citizen. This is a serious political incident that grossly violates the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizen. The Chinese government is steadfast in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.

关于孟晚舟事件，中方的立场是一贯的、明确的。美加滥用双边引渡条约，对中国公民任意采取强制措施，严重侵犯了中国公民的合法权益。这是一起严重的政治事件。中国政府维护本国公民和企业正当合法权益的决心坚定不移。

The Globe and Mail: Just one last question. I just wonder what is the Chinese government’s position on hostage diplomacy?

加拿大《环球邮报》记者：最后问一句，中方在“人质外交”上的立场是什么？

Zhao Lijian: That is just one loaded question^*). I have made our position clear. Maybe you can ask the Canadian side about their take on “hostage diplomacy”

赵立坚：你这是一个充满恶意的问题。我刚才已经把中方立场说得很清楚了。你最好去问问加拿大政府什么是“人质外交”。

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Note

^*) Closer translation: “This is an amply malicious question of yours”

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Related

“China Daily” EU bureau chief,
seconding Zhao Lijian

Tags: business, Canada, China, China Daily, diplomacy, negotiations, rule of law, trade