By Clare Duffy, CNN Business
Updated 1803 GMT (0203 HKT) September 19, 2019
New York (CNN Business)A FedEx pilot was recently detained by Chinese authorities in Guangzhou, a city in southern mainland China. It's the latest in an escalating conflict between the shipping company and the Chinese government.
The Hong Kong-based pilot, Todd Hohn, was trying to board a commercial flight home after making a delivery to mainland China, when he was arrested after a luggage search, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing a family lawyer for Hohn. FedEx (FDX) spokesperson Davina Cole on Thursday confirmed to CNN Business that a pilot was arrested.
Hohn was carrying "nonmetallic pellets used in low-power replica air guns," leading Chinese authorities to allege he was illegally carrying ammunition, the Journal said.
FedEx said the pilot has been released on bail, though the Journal report states he must remain in mainland China until Chinese authorities have completed their investigation. Hohn is a former US Air Force pilot.
Chinese officials suspect FedEx held back over 100 Huawei packages
"We are working with the appropriate authorities to gain a better understanding of the facts," FedEx said in a statement.
Tensions between FedEx and Chinese authorities have escalated as the larger US-China trade war drags on. The company has also been caught up in the conflict between pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong and the Chinese government.
The Chinese government began investigating FedEx in June when Chinese tech company Huawei said FedEx diverted two packages to the United States that were meant for Huawei's headquarters in China. The following month, Chinese authorities claimed FedEx was holding back more than 100 packages meant for Huawei. FedEx later sued the US government over export restrictions on Huawei, saying they put FedEx in a vulnerable position.
More recently, Chinese authorities opened another investigation into the company for allegedly shipping a parcel of knives to Hong Kong.
In the wake of the Hong Kong protests, which have become increasingly violent and are now going on 15 weeks, Chinese authorities have ramped up security at travel checkpoints between the city and mainland China.
CNN's Matt Rivers reported last month he and other travelers faced unusually aggressive security, including hours of detainment and questioning, while traveling by train to Hong Kong and back to mainland China. Some other travelers even had their phones searched by authorities.
According to the Journal, Hohn was arrested shortly before trying to board a flight with Cathay Dragon, a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific. Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's largest airline, has been under intense scrutiny from the Chinese government, leading to the resignation of its CEO Rupert Hogg.
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