It is about 15 degrees F here at Sinocism HQ but Canada-China relations are colder and about to get even more so. Among the developments we are watching today:

• Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton has told the Globe and Mail that the US will proceed with a formal extradition request against Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou;

• A group of scholars and former diplomats have written an open letter to Xi Jinping calling for the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor;

• Beijing’s reactions to the extradition request proceeding could get even nastier, and given the possible months or years long legal process ahead the tension in the Canada-China relationship may now be the new normal;

• The authorities have detained five more labor activists in a crackdown that appears related to the one that swept up the students who “confessed” recently.

Thanks for reading, and if someone forwarded you this email please considering signing up here. I do offer discounts for group subscriptions and students.

T…