A third Canadian national has been detained in China over a visa violation, the Chinese government said Thursday, distancing the case from two other arrests seen as political chips in an escalating row between Beijing and Ottawa. Sarah McIver, a teacher from Alberta province, is currently being held as “administrative punishment” for working illegally in China, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. The National Post reported Wednesday that people close to the case expect McIver to be returned to Canada in the coming weeks, possibly by the new year. But the souring political climate has heightened concerns for Canadians living in China, with the Canadian government warning its diplomats and embassy staff to take extra precautions in the country. Read more:Second Canadian detained in China after row over Huawei extraditionToday’s coverage from Post correspondents around the worldLike Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news

Source: Washington Post December 20, 2018 10:05 UTC