Huawei’s CEO Takes a City‑Stroll While Waiting to Be Extradited
From Sanctions to Sun‑Baked Pizza
Meng Wanzhou, the so‑called “Princess of Huawei”, was arrested on Dec 1 in Vancouver on a U.S. warrant that accused her of breaking sanctions with Iran. She now can’t quite say “I’m in jail”—she heads home from court and walks the streets of “Dunbar”, the leafy enclave a few blocks from the city’s big urban forest.
- Arrested at a plane change in the city
- Facing up to 30 years if convicted
- Released on a C$10 million bail (about S$10.3 million)
The Diary of a Tech Heiress at Home
After her bail hearing, AFP spotted Meng waving at a trio of flower‑bringers—complete with diplomatic plates in their sedan. Then, to her delight (or maybe to spare her teammates), she handed out slices of pizza to reporters, who politely declined.
- Home: a six‑bedroom house bought by her husband in 2009
- Valued at C$5.6 million, but all cozy, not flashy
- Located on a prime corner lot overlooking the north shoreline mountains
Community Reaction: From “No Big Deal” to “How About That?”
Neighbors are quiet:
- Colleen McGuinness says, “She’s just another person at the grocery.”
- Some locals keep a low profile because they don’t want to be a target.
Family Ties and a Second Home
While the first house is in the suburbs, the couple also bought a mansion in the prestigious Shaughnessy area, estimated at C$16.3 million, which is currently being refreshed to look as sharp as a new iPhone.
Kui’s immediate circle includes:
- Her husband, Liu Xiaozong, who once lived in the same block
- Their young son who attends a local preschool
- In‑loves who stay over the summers
A Rift in the Chinese‑Canadian Community
Justin Fung, a second‑generation Hong Konger, tweeted, “I was surprised by the vitriol that came from Meng supporters.” He argued the debate is merely about the rule of law and, surprisingly, also about human rights.
Fung believes that such controversy won’t affect Meng’s personal life because the city “gets Hollywood stars without any fuss.”
Compliance and Curfew: How Meng Keeps Taxis on the Street
While on bail:
- Wears an electronic ankle bracelet
- Has a private security team watching her movements
- Observes a strict 11 p.m.–7 a.m. curfew
A Brighter‑Than‑Expected Future
Through her attorney, Meng hinted she’d like to spend her summer in Vancouver, “maybe even study” at UBC’s doctoral program. She even flaunted pictures of herself laughing with family at Stanley Park’s iconic Lions Gate Bridge and riding a boat on False Creek.
Her lawyer, David Martin, shouted that she’s not a flight risk, fearing it would “embarrass China itself.” Meng asked for bail citing health reasons—just to stay with her husband and daughter, and because she’s never read a novel in years.
Aside From the Legal Jungle
As CBC noted amusedly, “she might just finish War and Peace, Anna Karenina, and the full works of Marcel Proust before her extradition drama ends.”
What’s Next?
Currently, the extradition hearing could take months—or even years—especially if appeals come in. For now, Meng is living the Vancouver dream: a quiet house, an ankle bracelet, a curfew, and a handful of friendly neighbors. The rest? We’ll keep tabs as the saga unravels.
