Do me I do you: China expels Canadian diplomat
CHINA has expelled Canada’s consul in Shanghai in retaliation for Ottawa sending home a Chinese diplomat accused of trying to intimidate a Canadian MP.
On Monday, Canada declared China’s diplomat Zhao Wei “persona non grata” and ordered her to leave the country.
In response, China on Tuesday ordered the removal of Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, Canada’s diplomat in its Shanghai Consulate.
“China reserves the right to further react,” Beijing said in a statement.
Both diplomats have five days to exit the countries.
that the decision to expel the diplomat had “been taken after careful consideration of all factors at play”.
Canada’s spy agency has since been directed to immediately pass on information about threats to members of parliament and their families.
“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious démarches and strong protest to Canada,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.
China last week accused Canada of “slander and defamation” over the claims Beijing targeted Mr Chong and his family.
Mr Chong, a Conservative, has criticised the governing Liberals of mishandling the matter and on Monday said: “It shouldn’t have taken two years for the government to make this decision”.
The allegations come amid other intelligence reports, leaked to Canadian media outlets, that have accused China of attempting to interfere in Canadian elections.
In March, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an independent special rapporteur to investigate the interference claims.
BBC
