Canada on Monday expelled a Chinese diplomat accused of threatening and gathering information about a Canadian lawmaker who has been critical of China, a decision that has increased tensions between the two countries.
Mélanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister, said in a declare that the diplomat, Zhao Wei, was declared “persona non grata.” Ms Joly said the decision had been made “after careful consideration of all relevant factors”.
“Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this kind of behavior, they will be sent home,” she added. “We will not tolerate any form of foreign interference.”
In response, China said that Canada had “seriously violated” relations and vowed to take “resolute countermeasures”.
Election interference allegations have rocked Canada in recent months. Globe and letter Canadian newspapers and other prominent news organizations have published a series of leaked intelligence reports accusing the Chinese government and its diplomats in Canada of attempting to manipulate the two recent elections. over to ensure Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party wins.
The goal, according to reports: Prevent a victory by the Conservative Party, which the Chinese consider too hard-line for China. Reports spark a political firestorm, raising questions about the integrity of Canadian democracy. China has denied any influence campaign in Canada.
The Globe, citing a top secret document from 2021, also reported that Mr Zhao was involved in gathering information about Canadian lawmaker Michael Chong, a Conservative member of Parliament, and his family. in Hong Kong in a possible attempt to “set an example” for him.
In 2021, Mr. Chong angered Beijing by sponsoring a movement that declared China’s treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority an act of genocide. Beijing then imposed sanctions on Mr. Chong, barring him from entering the county and barring Chinese nationals from conducting business with him.
That year, a Canadian Security Intelligence Agency report on a possible Chinese influence campaign also included information about potential threats to Chong.
The Chinese Consulate in Toronto, where Mr. Zhao works, said in statement last week, “The claim has no basis in fact and is completely baseless.”
It is unclear if Mr. Zhao will be given a deadline to leave the country.
Diplomatic expulsions are uncommon. In 2018, Canada joined its Western allies in the Russia ambassador launch following allegations that Kremlin agents used a nerve agent to poison former Russian spy Sergei V. Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, 33.
After Joly’s announcement, Mr Chong told reporters: “The government shouldn’t have taken two years to make this decision.” He has said he was “deeply disappointed” to learn of a potential threat to his family in Hong Kong from a newspaper and criticized Mr Trudeau’s government for inaction. He has repeatedly called for Mr. Zhao’s expulsion since the Globe reported it.
After Mr. Trudeau said he was unaware of allegations that Chinese diplomats were targeting Canadian lawmakers, Mr. Chong replied Last week, “This is a complete failure of leadership on the part of the Prime Minister.”
Independent reportpublished on 2 March, concluding that although China, Russia and Iran attempted to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 elections, they did not influence the outcome.
On Monday, the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said in statement that China “strongly condemns and firmly opposes” the action against Mr. Zhao and has lodged a “stern protest” against the expulsion, which it said was based on “rumours about the so-called ‘The China’s interference’ is hyped up by some politicians and the media.”
