From Biden's gaffe to the 2 Michaels, China's presence was felt during president's visit
CBC
U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed reporters Friday afternoon against a backdrop of Maple Leaf flags and star-spangled banners — but they also had China on their minds.
The Chinese Communist Party's shadow even led to a slip-up during Biden's address to Parliament.
"Today I applaud China for stepping up, or, excuse me, I applaud Canada," he said to some laughter.
"You can tell what I'm thinking about China. I won't get into that yet."
His two-day visit to Ottawa comes as Trudeau's government grapples with Beijing's alleged meddling in Canada's affairs, including the past two federal elections.
Earlier this week, Toronto-area MP Han Dong announced he was leaving the Liberal caucus after Global News published a story alleging he advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that Beijing should hold off on freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — the two Canadians being held by China at the time.
WATCH | MP Han Dong will 'vigorously contest these allegations': Trudeau:
Dong confirmed to Global that he had a discussion with Consul General Han Tao but emphatically denied that he had advised Beijing to delay releasing the two Canadians.
As Biden was waking up in Ottawa, another story was breaking about the meeting between Dong and the Toronto consulate general — this one from the Globe and Mail.
A source told the paper the government received a CSIS transcript of Han Dong's conversation with the consul and concluded that there was no "actionable evidence," adding that it could not be determined that Dong asked the Chinese government to keep the two Canadians in prison for political reasons.
During a late afternoon press conference, Trudeau was asked if he believed Dong advocated for the delayed release of Kovrig and Spavor.
He responded by recommending that people watch Dong's speech in the House of Commons earlier this week.
"We fully accept that he is stepping away from the Liberal caucus in order to vigorously contest these allegations," said Trudeau.
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