In a tit-for-tat move, China’s foreign ministry said in a statement on its official website on Tuesday that it was expelling the Canadian consulate in Shanghai. The statement said Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lynn Lalonde has been asked to leave China by May 13.
The move comes after Canada expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei on Monday after an intelligence report accused him of trying to target a Canadian lawmaker who criticized China’s treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority. Was.
The Foreign Ministry statement said that China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious protests and strong protests against Canada.
“As a reciprocal countermeasure in response to Canada’s dishonorable move, China decided to declare Jennifer Lin Lalonde, Consul General of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai persona non grata, to leave China no later than May 13 China reserves the right. to react further,” it added.
On Monday, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie said the Canadian government has designated Zhao Wei “persona non grata”.
“I have been clear: We will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. Diplomats in Canada have been warned that they will be sent home if they behave in this way.
Meanwhile, China’s embassy in Ottawa said the move seriously violated international law, basic norms governing international relations and relevant bilateral agreements, and strained China-Canada relations.
“China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries. The so-called “China interference” is completely baseless, an outright smear of China and political manipulation driven by ideological bias. Such provocations by Canada have “Seriously undermining the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel,” an embassy spokesperson said in a statement posted on its website.
Diplomatic tensions have been running high since the 2018 detention of Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou and the arrest of two Canadians by Beijing on charges of spying. All three were to be released in 2021.
With the recent expulsions, the two nations are now embroiled in a fresh diplomatic spat.