Mr Baird: Chinese Counterpart

Immigration Authorities Dept: The movement in the case occurred just before Mr. Baird travelled to China for his first official bilateral visit to any country as Foreign Affairs Minister – a trip intended to underscore the importance Ottawa places on relations with Beijing. Mr. Baird shrugged off questions about the coincidence by arguing Ottawa can’t control the case, according to Globe And Mail. He also said: “Obviously the government is before the courts, government agencies’ petitions are before the courts to make our case for the extradition of this individual.” But after four years of quiet in his case, Canadian immigration authorities opined last week that he would not be mistreated if sent back to China. The government moved quickly deport him until a court order issued last Wednesday stalled the efforts. “There’s no timing in my visit. I think most independent observers of the legal case will know that an elected official, let alone a minister, has no say in terms of the timing of the return,” Mr. Baird told reporters on a conference call from Beijing. “I did caution my Chinese counterpart that they shouldn’t count on it being overly expeditious.” As reported in the news.
@t foreign affairs minister, globe and mail