Germany’s U.N. envoy Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, during his last scheduled U.N. Security Council meeting on December 23, appealed to China to free two detained Canadians for Christmas. Germany finishes a two-year term on the 15-member council at the end of this month and Ambassador Christoph Heusgen plans to retire after more than 40 years as a diplomat. China’s Deputy U.N. Ambassador, Geng Shuang, accused Heusgen of abusing the Security Council to launch “malicious” attacks on other members “in an attempt to poison the working atmosphere”. He added: “I wish to say something out of the bottom of my heart: Good riddance, Ambassador Heusgen. I am hoping that the council in your absence in the year 2021 will be in a better position to fulfil the responsibilities...for maintaining international peace and security.”