China expelled the Canadian consul in Shanghai on Tuesday after Ottawa ousted a Chinese diplomat accused of harassing a legislator.
After years of deteriorating relations, the expulsions have ignited a fresh diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
They follow a Canadian outcry over allegations that Chinese intelligence intended to target MP Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong with sanctions for sponsoring a motion condemning Beijing’s behavior in the Xinjiang region as genocide.
In response, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei. Who allegedly participated in the scheme and is based in Toronto, would be required to depart the country.
She stated that Canada would “not tolerate any foreign interference in our internal affairs.”
Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry denounced Zhao’s departure and ordered Canadian consul Jennifer Lynn Lalonde to leave by May 13.
“As a reciprocal countermeasure in response to Canada’s unscrupulous action. China has decided to declare Jennifer Lynn Lalonde persona non grata,” the ministry said in a statement.
AFP journalists observed a solitary police vehicle parked outside the Shanghai office building where the consulate is located.
Inside, appointments appeared to be proceeding normally, and receptionists claimed ignorance of Tuesday’s events.
The Canadian foreign ministry and embassy in Beijing did not respond to AFP’s requests for comment.
“We remain steadfast in our belief that defending our democracy is of the utmost importance,” Joly said on Monday. “They will be expelled if they engage in this type of behaviour,” he said.”
“Facility for interference”
In recent months, it has come to light that China attempted to influence Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections in his party’s favor, increasing the pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to adopt a tough stance towards China.
Beijing-Ottawa ties have improved since Canada arrested a senior Huawei executive in 2018 and China imprisoned two Canadians in retaliation.
Beijing has often criticised Ottawa for following Washington’s China policy, while Canadian officials have accused China of meddling.
Beijing condemned what it termed “groundless slander and defamation” by Canada, following Canada’s summoning of China’s ambassador last week over the latest interference allegations.
The Chinese foreign ministry insisted that Canadian politicians and the media had “hyped up” the scandal.
On Monday, Chong told reporters in Ottawa, “It shouldn’t have taken the targeting of a member of parliament to make this (expulsion) decision.”
“We have known for years that the PRC uses diplomats accredited in Canada to target Canadians and their families,” he said, using an acronym for the People’s Republic of China.
According to him, Canada has become “a playground for foreign interference,” which includes the harassment of diaspora communities.
