Meng and the Michaels: why China’s embrace of hostage diplomacy is a warning to other nations

Analysis: Beijing's increasingly hardline approach sends a chilling message

The release of two Canadian hostages by China has ended a lengthy feud between the two countries, but experts caution the saga foreshadows a deepening rift between the two nations.

After facing charges of espionage and spending more than 1,000 days in detention, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were set free by Chinese authorities late last week. Accompanied by Canada's ambassador to China, the pair arrived home early on Saturday morning.