BREAKING: China arrest Canadian businessman in REVENGE for Canada’s arrest of Huawei CFO

The Chinese government’s news site has confirmed Mr Spavor is being investigated, after a Canadian official said he was missing. This comes days after Chinese authorities detained a former Canadian diplomat in the escalating diplomatic row between the two nations. Ms Wanzhou is wanted by the US after being accused of misleading banks about transactions linked to Iran and putting the banks at risk of violating sanctions.

She was arrested in Canada on December 1 at Washington’s request.

Canada has been unable to contact Mr Spavor since he notified the Canadian government he as being questioned by Chinese authorities, according to foreign ministry spokesman Guillaume Bérubé.

Canadian authorities were working to ascertain Mr Spavor’s whereabouts.

They contacted the Chinese government after the businessman did not answer any phone calls, messages or emails.

Friends of the Canadian said he was due to fly out of Dalian on a Korean Air flight to South Korea at 2.05pm (6.05am GMT) on Monday, but never arrived.

According to the Chinese government site, Mr Spavor has been under investigation from Dandong security since Monday.

Mr Spavor, who worked with North Korea, was based in Dandong, a northern Chinese city on the border with North Korea.

He is the head of Paektu Cultural Exchange, a China and UK-based non-profit social enterprise.

The organisation’s website said it is “dedicated to facilitating sustainable cooperation, cross-culutral exchanges, activities, trade and investment” with North Korea.

More to follow…