China says third Canadian detained was working illegally in country

The third Canadian detained in China is being held for working illegally in the country, the Chinese foreign ministry said Thursday amid diplomatic tensions over the previous two detentions on national security grounds.

The Canadian, a woman named Sarah McIver, faces "administrative penalties", said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a press briefing in Beijing, without specifying what the penalties entail.

Canada's National Post newspaper has identified McIver as a teacher from Alberta.