(CNN) A second Canadian may have been detained in China in a potential act of retribution that threatens to escalate the diplomatic dispute between Washington, Beijing and Ottawa following the arrest of a Chinese Huawei executive in Canada. On Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry confirmed that Canadian nationals Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are "being investigated" on suspicion of "activities that endangered China's national security." He had previously assisted in helping former NBA player Dennis Rodman travel to Pyongyang to meet Kim Jong Un, the country's leader. Confirmation of the dual investigation comes after Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland acknowledged that Chinese authorities had detained Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat who now works for the International Crisis Group (ICG) as its northeast Asia senior adviser. Michael Spavor seen here with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in this file photo from 2014.

Source: CNN December 13, 2018 04:50 UTC