China xinhua news 14 ม ค 62 14.40

Chinese researchers have begun using infrared cameras to monitor Antarctica's snow petrel, a key indicator species of the local marine ecosystem.

Xinhua丨Updated: February 14, 2019

Chinese researchers have begun using infrared cameras to monitor Antarctica's snow petrel, a key indicator species of the local marine ecosystem.

A snow petrel and its chick are seen near the Zhongshan Station, a Chinese research base in Antarctica, Jan. 14, 2019. Chinese researchers have begun using infrared cameras to monitor Antarctica's snow petrel, a key indicator species of the local marine ecosystem. This is the first time Chinese researchers in Antarctica have used infrared cameras in bird monitoring. [Photo/Xinhua]

"It's an advanced method to use infrared cameras in monitoring wild animals, and the camera's use has enabled automatic monitoring on the bird's life in the area of Zhongshan Station," said Zhang Zhengwang, a professor from Beijing Normal University and a member on China's 35th research mission in Antarctica.

"This is the first time Chinese researchers in Antarctica have used infrared cameras in bird monitoring, " he added.

With the help of a total of 11 infrared cameras, Zhang has conducted the first systematic investigation and monitoring of the snow petrels living around the Chinese research base for more than two months.

Zhang said he continuously monitors the reproductive behavior of 109 of the some 470 snow petrel families he observed and put on record, and found that they brooded mostly during the night.

In addition, the Chinese researcher listed natural predators, extreme weathers and human activities as the major factors affecting the reproduction and population of Antarctica's birds, and urged further efforts to protect the local ecosystem.

The snow petrel is one of only three birds that breed exclusively in Antarctica. It builds nests in the crevices of the rocks of cliffs, lays eggs between late November and early December, and has a breeding time of 90 to 100 days.

Q: On the early morning of January 29, the US Department of Justice announced charges against Huawei, some of its affiliates and its Vice Chairman and CFO Meng Wanzhou, and claimed that it will soon file a request to the Canadian side for the extradition of Ms. Meng Wanzhou. What is China's comment on this?

A: China is highly concerned about the US Department of Justice's charges against Huawei and its Vice Chairman and CFO Ms. Meng Wanzhou. The Chinese government has all along urged Chinese companies to conduct international economic cooperation on the basis of complying with relevant laws and regulations. At the same time, China asks that all countries provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the normal operations of Chinese companies.

For some time, the US has been using national power to tarnish and crack down on specific Chinese companies in an attempt to strangle their lawful and legitimate operations. Behind such practices are deep political intentions and manipulations. We strongly urge the US to stop its unreasonable bashing on Chinese companies including Huawei, and treat them objectively and fairly. China will also continue to uphold the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Regarding the Meng Wanzhou case, China has made clear its stern position many times. The US and Canada abused their bilateral extradition agreement and took compulsory measures against a Chinese citizen for no reason. Such actions seriously violate the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese citizen. Once again we urge the US to immediately withdraw its arrest warrant for Ms. Meng Wanzhou, refrain from making a formal extradition request, and stop going further down the wrong path. We also urge Canada to take China's solemn position seriously, immediately release Ms. Meng Wanzhou and ensure her lawful and legitimate rights and interests, and stop risking its own interests for the benefits of the US.

On Dec. 1, the RCMP, acting at the request of U.S. justice officials, arrested one of China's top business executives while she was waiting for a flight at Vancouver International Airport.

U.S authorities allege that Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou​ committed fraud by lying to American banks about her company's ties to a telecommunications firm that did business in Iran. That business was a breach of sanctions on Iran, U.S. justice officials allege.

The arrest of the high-profile tech exec sparked immediate reaction from China, where officials have vocally criticized her apprehension — and the role Canada played in facilitating it.

As the U.S. makes a formal request for Meng's extradition, the Huawei case is about to enter a new stage. But it's still unclear how the tangled situation will unfold.

Here's a look back at how it all began, and some of the key moments.

Dec. 1, 2018: Meng is arrested at Vancouver airport by Canadian police. The arrest was set in motion by a request from American officials, who learned the telecom executive would soon be passing through B.C while travelling from Hong Kong to Mexico.

Dec. 5, 2018: CBC News confirms reports that Meng had been arrested in B.C. Huawei issues a statement saying it is not aware of any wrongdoing by Meng and has been provided "very little information" about the charges. "The company believes the Canadian and U.S. legal systems will ultimately reach a just conclusion," the statement says.

• In Depth Everything you need to know about Huawei, Meng Wanzhou and her possible extradition

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa has a sharper take, saying it had "lodged stern representations with the U.S. and Canadian side, and urged them to immediately correct the wrongdoing and restore the personal freedom of Ms. Meng Wanzhou."

Dec. 6, 2018: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau weighs in, saying: "The appropriate authorities took the decisions in this case without any political involvement or interference ... we were advised by them with a few days' notice that this was in the works."

Dec. 8, 2018: China summons Canada's ambassador, John McCallum, to lodge a protest — and warn that Canada could face consequences over the arrest.

Dec. 11, 2018: Canada confirms that Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat working with International Crisis Group, has been detained in China. That same day, Meng is released on $10 million bail with several conditions, including a requirement that she surrender her passport and pay for 24/7 monitoring.

Meng Wanzhou leaves court after being granted bail. WATCH:

Meng Wanzhou leaves court Tuesday evening

Huawei official Meng Wanzhou, arrested on a U.S. warrant, was released on $10 million bail

U.S. President Donald Trump wades into the debate, telling Reuters that he'd be willing to intervene in the case if it was in the best interest of Americans. "Whatever's good for this country, I would do," he says.

Dec. 12, 2018: Chinese media report that another Canadian, businessman Michael Spavor, has been detained on suspicion of endangering national security. Spavor is founder of an organization that arranges travel to North Korea.

• China's disappeared: Some of the people who vanished at the hands of the Chinese state in 2018

Dec. 16, 2018: Canada is granted consular access to Spavor, Global Affairs Canada says.

Dec. 19, 2018: Trudeau says that the detention of teacher Sarah McIver, another Canadian who was taken into custody in China, doesn't appear to be linked to the detention of Kovrig or Spavor. (She is later returned to Canada.)

Dec. 21, 2018: Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland calls for the immediate release of Spavor and Kovrig, and accuses China of detaining the men without cause — a position soon echoed by U.S. officials.

Michael Spavor, left, and former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig were taken into custody in China in mid-December. (The Associated Press/International Crisis Group/The Canadian Press)

Dec. 24, 2018: China again takes aim at Canada and its allies, saying Meng's arrest is "illegal" and countries expressing concern about Spavor and Kovrig have different standards on human rights for citizens of different countries.

Dec. 29, 2018: The case of another Canadian detained in China makes headlines when a court orders a retrial for Robert Schellenberg, who had appealed after receiving a 15-year sentence for a conviction in a drug smuggling case.

A general view of the Dalian Intermediate People's Court, where the trial for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian citizen on drug smuggling charges, was held in northeastern China on Jan. 14, 2019. He's now facing a death sentence. (Reuters)

Jan. 3, 2019: A group of MPs and senators say they will proceed with a planned trip to China, despite mounting tensions. The trip, hosted by the Canada-China Legislative Association, had been in the works for months.

Jan. 6, 2019: Just days after one member of the Canadian delegation said that discussion of the detainees was not on the agenda for the China trip, there's a change in message. Senators and MPs say they are raising the case as they meet with Chinese counterparts.

• Growing security fears hobble global ambitions of Chinese tech giant Huawei

Jan. 8, 2019: Reuters publishes a report saying documents link Huawei to equipment seller Skycom Tech Co. Ltd. and Canicula Holdings Ltd., suspected front companies in Iran and Syria. That same day, Trudeau's office puts out a statement saying that in a call with the prime minister, Trump affirmed the need to respect judicial independence.

Jan. 9, 2019: China's ambassador to Canada pens a scathing op-ed in the Hill Times, in which he says "Western egotism and white supremacy" have played a role in the conflict over detainees.

Jan. 10, 2019: Consular officials say they've had a second meeting with Kovrig.

Jan. 11, 2019: Trudeau accuses China of violating diplomatic immunity in the case of Kovrig, who is on leave from Global Affairs Canada. "It is unfortunate that China has arbitrarily and unfairly detained two Canadian citizens, and indeed, in one of the cases, is not respecting the principles of diplomatic immunity."

Trudeau says China is 'not respecting the principles of diplomatic immunity.' WATCH:

Trudeau accuses China of violating diplomatic immunity

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accuses China of violating Canadian Michael Kovrig's diplomatic immunity for arresting him in China last month and holding him with limited consular access.

Jan. 14, 2019: A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry says Kovrig doesn't have diplomatic immunity. Asked about Trudeau's comments, Hua Chunying says that the "relevant Canadian person" should "earnestly study" the Vienna Convention before speaking, so as to "not become a laughing stock."

That same day, Schellenberg is sentenced to death for drug smuggling. Trudeau accuses China of arbitrarily applying the death sentence.

• Chinese politicians, not judges, may determine fate of Canadian sentenced to die

Jan. 15, 2019: Canada issues an updated advisory for travellers to China, saying there's a risk of "arbitrary enforcement of local laws." China immediately responds, issuing its own advisory urging its citizens to "fully evaluate risks" ahead of travel to Canada, citing the recent "arbitrary detention" of a Chinese citizen.

Jan. 16, 2019: Freeland says the government has spoken with China's ambassador to Canada to ask for clemency for Schellenberg. Ambassador to China John McCallum, meanwhile, says Spavor and Kovrig don't have access to legal counsel and face up to four hours a day of interrogation.

• Huawei founder says company would not share user secrets

Jan. 17, 2019: The tensions between Canada and China aren't limited to the issue of detainees. There's also a question of whether Canada will allow Huawei equipment in next generation 5G mobile networks. The federal government is still studying the issue, but China's ambassador to Canada says, "I believe there will be repercussions" if Huawei is banned.

Jan. 18, 2019: Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says Canada won't compromise national security as it weighs its options for a 5G network.

Jan. 21, 2019: A group of 140 former diplomats, scholars and others pen a letter urging China to release Kovrig and Spavor. Trudeau and Freeland. meanwhile, have been reaching out to leaders around the world to try and increase pressure on China.

Jan. 22, 2019: China accuses Canada and the U.S. of abusing the extradition system ahead of a Jan. 30 deadline for American officials to file an official extradition request.

Canadian Ambassador to China John McCallum said publicly that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has good arguments to fight extradition to the U.S. He has since been fired. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

There's another twist when Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, speaks to Chinese-language media on Jan. 22 in Markham, Ont. McCallum says he thinks Meng has "strong arguments" to make before the courts as her extradition case moves forward.

"I know this has angered China, but we have a system of extradition treaty, a system of rules of law, which are above the government," the ambassador says. "The government cannot change these things, and as I said, I think Ms. Meng has quite a strong case."

Jan. 24, 2019: After facing criticism for his remarks — including a call for his resignation from Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer — McCallum says he misspoke and regrets his comments.

Jan. 26, 2019: John McCallum is fired after reportedly telling StarMetro Vancouver it would be "great for Canada" if the United States dropped their extradition request against Meng.

Jan. 28, 2019: The U.S. provides details of the criminal charges against Meng, along with charges against Huawei and some of its affiliates. Canadian officials confirm the same day that U.S. officials have made a formal request to extradite Meng, who is accused of wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracies to commit wire and bank fraud.

Jan. 28, 2019: China urges the U.S. to withdraw its extradition request. China's latest push comes after Huawei issues a statement denying wrongdoing.

What's next?

The official extradition request made by the U.S. is just the starting point for what's expected to be another round of legal wrangling.

There's no sense of what will happen next with Spavor and Kovrig, or Schellenberg's case — though Canadian officials have made it clear they plan to keep up the pressure.