Canada's ambassadors around the world are launching a concerted campaign to pressure allies to push for the release of two Canadians detained in China, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said.

Some business leaders and analysts have suggested Canada should have found a way to circumvent its treaty obligations with the U.S. under the Extradition Act to avoid the current political turmoil.

Canada should distance itself from U.S. "hegemonism" and grant unconditional freedom to Meng Wanzhou, the state-owned tabloid Global Times said in a Thursday editorial.