Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne met his Chinese counterpart, state councillor Wang Yi, in Rome on Tuesday and urged Beijing to release two citizens of Canada it has detained, Ottawa said. Soon after, China arrested Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, and in June charged them with spying. Michael Spavor, left, and former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig are in Chinese custody, both having been charged with spying. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wang told Champagne that Canada's unprovoked detention of Chinese citizens led to "serious difficulties" in the bilateral relationship. WATCH | Champagne meets with Chinese foreign minister in Rome:Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne discussed consular access for detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

Source: CBC News August 26, 2020 10:00 UTC