The first stage of the historic proceedings, which in their entirety could last years, will focus on “double criminality,” the legal principle that determines whether Meng’s alleged violations of sanctions against Iran—of which she’s been accused in the U.S.—would be a crime if committed in Canada. (The Globe and Mail)

Talking point: The case, and the subsequent arrest in China of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, is being watched for possible trade repercussions between China, the U.S. and Canada. Before hearings began Monday, China urged the Canadian government to set Meng free, calling the case “a serious political incident.” The message came as Ottawa convened the first meeting of a new parliamentary committee to examine China-Canada relations. Meng, the eldest daughter of Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 1, 2018. Leading her defence team is Vancouver lawyer Richard Peck, who doesn’t own a cellphone due to privacy concerns. On Monday morning, he told the court that the fraud allegations against Meng were a “facade.”