Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang (Photo/CCTV)

Both the Chinese government and people on Thursday called for the immediate release of Meng Wanzhou, CFO of China’s Huawei Technologies, after it was reported that she was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States.

On Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded to the incident at a regular press conference. Spokesperson Geng Shuang said that China has made its position clear to Canada and the United States and has demanded that Meng Wanzhou be released immediately. The spokesperson also said that the two countries are required to immediately clarify the reasons for her detention and must protect her legitimate rights and interests.

Under the official Weibo account of the US Embassy in China, a Chinese citizen wrote that the United States, which has already imposed a number of sanctions on Chinese companies, has hit a new low by arresting a Chinese citizen in Canada, limiting her personal freedom. “Are you that afraid of China’s rise?” the netizen asked. “Is this really how the world’s most powerful country should act?”

Some Chinese people online said that Meng Wanzhou was detained for no reason. “I have a new view of the United States. Even if America was once great, but has since gone rogue,” a comment read.

Under the official account of the Embassy of Canada to China, a large number of internet users questioned whether Canada has gone from being a sovereign state to “America’s hired thug.” They claim that Canada has violated the human rights of a Chinese citizen and demand that the Canadian side release Meng right away.

According to Huawei’s response to the detention of Meng, the CFO of China’s Huawei Technologies was provisionally detained by the Canadian Authorities at the request of the United States when she was transferring flights in Canada. The company said that the United States is seeking her extradition from Canada to face unspecified charges in the Eastern District of New York.

Huawei said that the company has been provided very little information regarding the charges and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Meng. The company also said that it complies with all applicable laws and regulations where it operates, including applicable export control and sanction laws and regulations of the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union.