China's foreign ministry spokesperson said it "firmly opposes the erroneous statements made by Canada."

Chong tells The Canadian Press that the fact the Chinese economy has largely reopened makes it clear that's an ``excuse'' to flout international conventions that guarantee consular access.

Harjit Sajjan made the comments during a wide-ranging panel discussion hosted by Slovakian think tank Globsec, nearly two years after Chinese authorities first detained former diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor.

Chinese authorities announced the charges against Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor on Friday, after they had spent more than 550 days in prison without access to lawyers or family.

China told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday to ``stop making irresponsible remarks'' after he said Beijing's decision to charge two Canadians with spying was linked to his country's arrest of a Chinese tech executive.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is "disappointed" in China's decision to formally lay charges against Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

Statements from Chinese prosecutors Friday said the charges were reached after "legal review."

Kovrig was the first of two Canadians detained in apparent retaliation for Meng Wanzhou's arrest.

Canada says their arrests were "arbitrary," and has been in a diplomatic dispute with China since then.

Canadian prisoner Michael Kovrig is trying to hold on to a sense of humour as he and fellow countryman Michael Spavor approach one year in solitary confinement in China, says Kovrig's current boss.