Canadian ex-envoy held in China gets consular visit

A Canadian former diplomat held by China was granted a second consular visit Thursday, as more nations backed Ottawa's demand that he and a detained compatriot be released.

"Today, Canadian consular officials in China visited with Michael Kovrig," said a brief statement from Canada's foreign ministry.

No details of his condition were provided due to Canadian privacy laws, but officials said they would press for further access to both him and businessman Michael Spavor.

The men were arrested in China last month, accused of activities that "endanger China's security" -- a phrase often used by Beijing when alleging espionage.

Though no link has been officially made, the arrests are thought to be in retaliation for Canada's December 1 detention on a US request of Meng Wanzhou, a top Chinese business executive accused of violating Iran sanctions.

Ottawa on Thursday also renewed its call -- backed by Australia, Britain, France, Germany, the European Union and the United States -- for the Canadians' immediate release.

And it announced added support from the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.