Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou.Photo:VCG

Millions of Chinese netizens read and expressed support for Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who published a letter on the anniversary of her arrest in Canada, saying she was "no longer afraid of the unknown" despite moments of fear and torment. 

In the letter, she thanked people ranging from netizens to Huawei suppliers and customers for giving her "warmth" and "support." 

"My dear friends, your warmth is a beacon that lights my way forward, and I appreciate it more than words can say," she wrote. 

The letter was posted on Huawei's official website. 

Hua Chunying, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a routine press conference on Monday that she was touched by the letter. 

Hua said that the ministry sincerely hopes that Meng, an innocent Chinese resident who was unreasonably seized and detained, could come home peacefully as soon as possible. 

She reiterated China's position over the matter and urged Canada to release Meng. 

"The US and Canada have abused their extradition treaty in Meng's case, arbitrarily imposed coercive measures against Chinese citizens, seriously violating the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. This is a serious political incident."

The topic of #meng'sopenletter has been viewed more than 91 million times on China's twitter-like Sina Weibo, and received thousands of comments voicing support for the Huawei CFO as of press time on Monday.

"We believe that China will bring her home in 2020," one of the users wrote. "I cannot believe she is still detained there. Canada has not learned a lesson after such a long period of time?" another wrote. 

Chinese observers called the case a "pain point" in China-Canada relations, while warning Canada faces a long-term backlash if it fails to release Meng and blindly follows the US as its "errand boy."

Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Beijing-based Information Consumption Alliance, a Chinese observer who has been closely following Meng's case, noted that "the case has become a difficult point for the development of China-Canada ties."

Canada's handling of the case, which stems from a US request under the Canada-US extradition treaty, has damaged Canada's image on the world stage, and the country is seen as an "errand boy" of the US, Xiang noted. 

Canada will not be able to repair the damage in the short term, if it simply insists on following the US and ignores the "rule of law" that it claims to be upholding, he predicted.

Meng was arrested at the Vancouver airport at the request of the US on December 1, 2018. The case has evolved to be what many Chinese observers call a stalemate between China and Canada. 

The newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, paid a visit to Meng on Thursday. He said the Chinese government will continue to demand Canada correct its mistake and take genuine measures to solve the issue as soon as possible. 

In the letter, Meng said it was never her intention to be stuck in Canada but that she had found a whole year had "snuck by" since her arrest. 

"The past year has witnessed moments of fear, pain, disappointment, helplessness, torment, and struggle… I have also learned to face up to and accept my situation. I'm no longer afraid of the unknown," she wrote. 

Meng also listed many examples of the support she had received, such as the choice made by Huawei customers and suppliers to trust the technology giant, the waiting crowds every time she appeared in court, and the encouraging comments like "Go Huawei" left by take-out delivery workers on orders delivered to the company's campuses.

"Hold on and you will become a hero. Chinese people will back you up," one netizen wrote on Weibo, commenting on Meng's public letter.

Meng also said she was "deeply moved" by the kindness of people in Canada, saying that she had burst into tears after hearing applause in the public gallery when she was granted bail by the judge. 

"I no longer feel so far from home. I'm no longer afraid of the rough road ahead. While my personal freedoms have been limited, my soul still seeks to be free. Amid these setbacks, I've found light in the life around me," she wrote.