China on Monday slammed Canada for its “extreme action” of declaring a Chinese diplomat persona non grata, based on rumours of Chinese interference “hyped up” by Canadian politicians and media.
Canada’s “Provocation”
Canadian Foreign Minister (FM) Mélanie Joly announced on Monday that the government had decided to declare persona non grata Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei.
“I have been clear: we will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home,” Joly said.
Canada has decided to declare persona non grata, Mr. Zhao Wei. pic.twitter.com/rZXeNTtdV4
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) May 8, 2023
She added that Ottawa remains firm in its resolve to defend its democracy, which is “of the utmost importance.”
The Chinese diplomat had been accused of intimidating a Canadian opposition legislator critical of Beijing.
Chinese Backlash
Following this move, in a Monday statement, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Canada accused the Western power of seriously violating international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
In response to Canada's unscrupulous expulsion of a Chinese diplomat, China has declared a consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai persona non grata, who has been asked to leave China no later than May 13, announced Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/gZ3m1rrrRJ
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) May 9, 2023
It added that the “provocation” had “sabotaged” bilateral relations and “severely undermined the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel.”
Stating that China “never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs,” it called the “China Interference” theory “totally groundless” and an attempt to “smear” China through “political manipulation driven by ideological bias.”
Beijing urged Ottawa to “refrain from moving further down the wrong path” and warned that it “will take resolute countermeasures.”
As part of its reciprocal countermeasures to the “unscrupulous move,” China’s Foreign Ministry declared Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai persona non grata, on Tuesday. She has been instructed to leave the country by Saturday.