Chinese officials refused to attend a Chinese-born Canadian tycoon trial where Canadian diplomats disappeared fromHong Kongfive years ago. The Canadian government said on Tuesday. The
Xiao Jianhuawas last seen at a hotel in Hong Kong in January 2017 and is believed to have been brought to the mainland by Chinese authorities. The government has never confirmed whether he was detained or the allegations he might face.
The Canadian government said the former Xiao would be tried on Monday, but did not say anything about whether or where the trial took place. Details of possible rates are not given.
"Canada has made several requests to attend the hearing process. Our attendance has been denied by the Chinese authorities," a statement from the Government of Canada said.
Xiao, the founder of the Tomorrow Group, disappeared amid a flood of charges of Chinese businessmen accused of illegal activity.
It fueled fears that the ruling Communist Party might have kidnapped people outside the mainland. Hong Kong at the time prohibited Chinese police from operating in the former British colonies, which had different legal systems.
Since then,Beijinghas strengthened control of Hong Kong, violating the autonomy promised when the territory returned toChinain 1997. Prompted a complaint that he was there. It was the National Security Act of 2020 and imprisoned democratization activists.
Hong Kong police investigated Xiao's disappearance and said the subject had crossed the border to the mainland. However, an ad in the Ming Pao newspaper in the name of Xiao of the same week denied that he was taken against his will.
