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Canada and the People’s Republic of China have begun duking it out in a diplomatic stoush over foreign interference.
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Canada made the first public move by declaring Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei as a persona non grata (unwelcome person) on 8 May, before the PRC responded on 9 May declaring Canada’s diplomat as a person non grata.
The ousting was made in relation to allegations Zhao reportedly sought information to use against Canada’s shadow foreign minister Michael Chong and his family, according to a 2021 Canadian Security Intelligence Service report.
Chong is known as a supporter of Canada joining AUKUS and vocal critic of China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims.
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly said Zhao had been declared persona non grata on 8 May.
“I have been clear; we will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs,” she said.
“Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home. This decision has been taken after careful consideration of all factors at play.
“We remain firm in our resolve that defending our democracy is of the utmost importance.”
The PRC denies any involvement and responded by declaring Canada’s diplomat as a person non grata on 9 May.
“On May 9, the Canadian government declared a diplomat of the Consulate-General of China in Toronto persona non grata. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious démarches and strong protest to Canada,” said a PRC foreign ministry spokesperson.
“As a reciprocal countermeasure in reaction to Canada’s unscrupulous move, China decides to declare Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai persona non grata, who has been asked to leave China before May 13. China reserves the right to further react.”
The two countries have been on rocky ground since PRC leader Xi Jinping confronted Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about leaking international discussion to the media, at the G20 summit in Indonesia last year.
Media outlets in Canada have also added fuel to the fire by publishing articles about alleged Chinese government plots to interfere in Canada’s election process in 2019 and 2021. A claim that the PRC rejects but is being investigated by the Canadian government.
