Administrative penalty imposed on Canadian citizen in China: FM spokesperson

BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese local police authorities imposed an administrative penalty on a Canadian citizen for illegal employment in China, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Thursday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the confirmation at a press briefing in response to a report saying an English teacher from Canada, named Sarah Mciver, was detained in China days ago.

Hua said relevant police authorities should be contacted for details. "What I can tell you is that China and Canada have kept smooth communication on consular affairs and China will provide necessary assistance to Canada for its performance of consular duties," said Hua.