A Chinese state media outlet is reporting that another Canadian citizen has been detained on suspicion of engaging in activities that endanger China’s national security.
The report from Northeast News Network, which cites unnamed sources, said the case of Michael Spavor is currently under review.
Spavor is the founder of Paektu Cultural Exchange, a Canadian-owned, China-based firm that organizes cultural exchanges to North Korea. According to the report, he was detained by the National Security Bureau working out of Dandong, which is near the border with North Korea.
Earlier in the day, Global Affairs Canada said in a statement to CBC News that it had been “unable to make contact since he let us know he was being questioned by Chinese authorities.
Canadian officials were trying to locate him and continue to raise the case with the Chinese government, the statement said.
Spavor’s personal Facebook page contains several images of him with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, including one of him with both Kim and former professional basketball player Dennis Rodman at an undisclosed location. Another image shows the two sharing a drink on a boat.
Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland declined to provide more information about Spavor’s case in a briefing Wednesday, calling it a “delicate situation.” Canadian authorities have said they are in touch with his family.
www.cbc.ca/news/politics/china-missing-person-questioned-1.4943591