BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng urgently summoned Canadian Ambassador to China John McCallum on Saturday to make solemn representations and strong protests against the detention of a senior executive of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. by the Canadian authorities, China's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Le said it is a severe violation of Chinese citizen's legitimate rights and interests to detain a Chinese citizen, who was transferring flights in Vancouver, Canada, at the request of the United States.

"Such a move ignores the law and is unreasonable, unconscionable, and vile in nature," said Le in the statement.

China strongly urges the Canadian side to immediately release the detained Huawei executive and effectively protect her legitimate rights and interests, or face grave consequences that the Canadian side should be held accountable for, Le said.