China suspects detained Canadian diplomat of spying, says state media

Two Canadian nationals were detained in Dec in what observers see as retaliation just days after Canada arrested Chinese telecom giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, at US' request

China suspects detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig of spying and stealing state secrets, state media reported Monday, turning up the heat in a diplomatic row between Beijing and Ottawa as a top Huawei executive faces possible extradition.

Another Canadian in Chinese detention -- businessman Michael Spavor -- was one of Kovrig's main sources of intelligence, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing authorities.

The pair were detained in December in what observers see as retaliation just days after Canada arrested Chinese telecom giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, at the request of the United States.

Chinese authorities had