RBC advises employees to avoid China travel

Royal Bank of Canada has warned its workers about making business trips to China as the diplomatic row over the arrest of a top Huawei executive in Canada continues, sources told Bloomberg.

RBC reportedly advised employees to avoid travelling to China. Two Canada-based staff members have also been asked to cancel or delay their scheduled trips, sources said.

The company has yet to reveal how long it plans to implement the measure. The move is believed to be in accordance with a recent travel advisory from the Canadian government.

In January, Canadian citizens set to travel to China were advised to exercise a “high degree of caution” to avoid getting involved in the “arbitrary enforcement” of local laws.

The advisory came after two Canadians were detained by the Chinese government late last year. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based businessman Michael Spavor were both accused of engaging in activities that “endanger China’s security”.

While no official link was made, the seizure of Kovrig and Spavor were made following the arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou in Canada in December. She was accused of violating sanctions on Iran by the US government.

As part of the travel advisory, the Canadian government may choose to limit non-essential travel to China, or even ban all travel in extreme cases.