Beijing to expel Canadian consul in tit for tat move
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The Canadian intelligence service had accused Chinese diplomats of allegedly intimidating a Canadian parliamentarian.
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Printed Chinese and Canadian flags are seen on July 12, 2022 (Reuters)
In retaliation for Canada's expulsion of a Chinese official on claims that he sought to intimidate a Canadian politician critical of China's handling of its Uyghur Muslim minority, Beijing will expel a Canadian diplomat from Shanghai.
China's Foreign Ministry made the statement on Tuesday after vehemently opposing Ottawa's deportation of Zhao Wei, whom Canadian intelligence accused of targeting politician Michael Chong and his family.
On Saturday, Beijing slammed Ottawa's allegation about threatening behavior of Chinese diplomats in Canada as a "groundless smear", Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said.
The Canadian intelligence service accused Chinese diplomats of allegedly intimidating Canadian parliamentarian Michael Chong and his family after sponsoring a motion accusing Beijing of alleged genocide against Uyghurs.
Canada had branded Zhao a "persona non grata," according to Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly.
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In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry underlined that "China strongly condemns and resolutely opposes this decision, and has made solemn representations and protests to the Canadian side."
"In response to the unreasonable actions of the Canadian side, China has decided to take reciprocal countermeasures by classifying consul Jennifer Lynn Lalonde of the Canadian consulate general in Shanghai as an 'persona non grata' and has asked her to leave China by 13 May. China reserves the right to make further reactions," the statement read.
China has previously threatened reprisal if Canada expelled one of its ambassadors, highlighting the two countries' poor relations.
On Monday, Joly claimed that the decision to expel Zhao was reached "after careful consideration of all factors at play."
On May 1, Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper published details of Canadian intelligence, which alleged that China requested information about Chong and his family in China.
The newspaper cited an unknown national security source as claiming that Zhao was involved in gathering information about Chong.
China affirms that it has never interfered in Canadian domestic issues and has no plans to do so in the future. China's consulate general in Toronto pointed out that the report on Chong has "no factual basis and is purely baseless."
