Canada's ambassador to China has been given access to detained Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor, six days after he was arrested, the country's global affairs department says..
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John McCallum also met ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig on Friday.
Both were detained in China last Monday in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Chinese tech executive on behalf of the United States.
Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on December 1 on US charges that she misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran.
Canada gave Huawei chief financial officer Meng, daughter of the telecom giant's founder, access to Chinese consular staff on the day she was arrested and three days of public hearings before releasing her on bail.
Members of Vancouver's large Chinese community who went to court to show their support cheered her release.
By contrast, the Chinese secretly detained the two Canadians on suspicions of "engaging in activities that endanger the national security of China".
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the detention of the Canadian citizens unlawful and said they should be released.
Entrepreneur Michael Spavor is known for his contacts in China with high-ranking North Korean officials, including leader Kim Jong-in, with whom he has been photographed shaking hands and laughing.
He was instrumental in taking NBA player Dennis Rodman to Pyongyang in 2013 and has organised a number of tours and projects with the reclusive country since then.
In 2015, Mr Spavor founded Paektu Cultural Exchange, a nongovernmental organisation that works to facilitate sports, cultural, tourism and business exchanges with North Korea.
Its mission statement says it aims to "promote greater peace, friendship and understanding".
Australian Associated Press
