White House: "Meng Wanzhou Release Not a Prisoner Swap... No Impact on US-China Relations"

Emphasis on Continuing Pressure on China
"No Easing of US-China Conflict"

Meng Wanzhou, Vice Chairwoman of Huawei in China, who was released in Canada, arrived at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport on the 25th via an Air China charter flight from Canada, waving to the crowd that came to welcome her. Vice Chairwoman Meng, dressed in a red dress, received a state-level welcome like a foreign head of state.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The White House in the United States has drawn a clear line, stating that allowing Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's Vice Chairwoman, to return home has no impact on U.S.-China relations.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a regular briefing on the 27th (local time) in response to questions about Meng's release and U.S.-China relations, "There is absolutely no impact. (Meng's release) should not be interpreted as affecting our policy."

Meng was detained in Canada for three years and was released last week following a deferred prosecution agreement by the U.S. Department of Justice, immediately returning home. After Meng's release, two Canadians who had been detained in China were also freed.

Psaki explained that President Joe Biden mentioned the Canadians detained in China during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and President Xi referred to Meng. Meng's release occurred just two weeks after the phone call between President Biden and President Xi.

Psaki also mentioned that Meng's release and the Canadians' return are not related.

When asked whether China might use this case as a precedent to take foreigners hostage, Psaki avoided a direct answer but said, "The United States does not consider this mutual release as a prisoner exchange."

Psaki emphasized, "Our policy toward China has not changed," adding, "We are not seeking conflict. U.S.-China relations are competitive. We will continue to hold China accountable for unfair economic practices, coercive behavior, and human rights violations."