Hostage Diplomacy - Clara Thorson 1 have been held for years, with no mention of a trial or Hostage Diplomacy hearing—now a hasty and secretive trial comes seemingly out of nowhere. Coincidentally, Canada joined the US and Clara Thorson others in sanctioning multiple Chinese officials and entities for human rights violations against Uighur Muslims just 03/25/2021 days before the trials. Whether or not these events are related has yet to be determined. However, either case shows a souring of relations between China and the rest of the world as China aggressively redefines it geopolitical codes. Diplomats and journalists from around the world were denied access to the trial by the Chinese government. By: Clara Thorson After spending the last two years in a Chinese prison, two Canadian nationals accused of espionage have been tried by the Chinese government. The two Canadians in custody were detained on spying charges in 2018, shortly after a top executive of Huawei—a Chinese company— was arrested in Canada. Many critics have called China’s move retaliatory and an attempt at “hostage diplomacy”. Condemned by many powerful countries around the world, the trials illustrate China’s redefining of its geopolitical codes to be a more aggressive and present world power. Geopolitical codes refer to the moves a country takes to position itself in the global neighborhood. This includes determining allies and enemies. The arrest of Canadian citizens is significant because of its aggression towards Canada, souring a previously neutral relationship. Traditionally, relations have been most tense between the US and China. The original arrest of the Huawei executive in Canada was performed on extradition charges from the US, with Canada acting as a cooperative neighbor. However, China’s reaction has made a pointed enemy of Canada. The seemingly arbitrary trials have also distanced China from other countries, with over two dozen different countries from around the world sending ambassadors to protest against the secret trial. After being denied entrance by the Chinese government, diplomats and journalists have publicly criticized and condemned China’s actions. China seems unfazed by the unpopularity of its moves, which shows a willingness to depart from previous geopolitical codes and instead take a more active stance on the global stage, making enemies in the process. Another key detail comes from questioning why the Chinese government held the trial now? Both Canadians.