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Keegan Elmer

China has moved Lu Shaye, its combative ambassador in Canada, to France, in a sign of Beijing’s approval for his handling of the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver last year.
The foreign ministry announced on Thursday that Lu would be posted as Chinese envoy to France on Thursday, after months of speculation over his next appointment.
Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper reported the move in June, quoting sources who described Lu as an “outspoken” and “strikingly undiplomatic” diplomat.
Since his appointment to Ottawa in 2017, Lu has been openly critical of Canadian media’s coverage of China.




In an interview with the Toronto-based Canadian Press news agency soon after his arrival, Lu criticised local media for painting a negative picture of China, and said its influence over politicians prevented Ottawa and Beijing from starting long-awaited talks on a bilateral trade deal.
Lu became a high-profile media figure after Meng was arrested in December, and after the subsequent detention of two Canadians – Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor – in China.
Meng was detained at the request of US authorities, who are seeking her extradition on fraud and obstruction charges. In May, Kovrig and Spavor were charged with spying.
Canada’s detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou ‘angered Chinese people’
In an article published by The Hill Times in January, Lu lashed out at the “double standards” employed by some Canadians and Canadian news outlets.
He also accused Canada of “Western egotism” and “white supremacy” in its handling of the Meng case.
The appointment of Lu to Paris showed the importance China placed on its relationship with France, said Cui Hongjian, head of European studies at the China Institute of International Studies.
He said Lu’s appointment also showed Beijing’s approval of his work in Canada.




Lu, 54, has spent his career in foreign service and served as a diplomatic officer in France between 2001 and 2003. He speaks fluent French.
At 41, Lu became one of China’s youngest envoys when he became China’s ambassador to Senegal from 2005 to 2009.
Some in France were bracing for Lu’s arrival. In June, Paris-based Reporters Without Borders warned Lu not to try to intimidate journalists in France.
China calls ‘bunk’ on Huawei threat as Canada’s decision on Meng Wanzhou looms
Cui said Lu’s media commentaries and style were a product of a new era in China’s more active foreign policy.
“Many years ago, many Chinese ambassadors were more reserved, but today, with China’s growing influence, there is a greater need for them to speak out and explain China’s position,” Cui said. “This is not particular to Lu, but expresses a broader trend.”


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France

China’s ‘outspoken’ Lu Shaye leaves Canada to become ambassador to France

Lu Shaye leaves Canada for France with a reputation for talking straight to host nations. Photo: AP

Chinese envoy Lu Shaye accuses Canada of ‘white supremacy’ for demanding release of detained citizens after arresting Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou

Lu Shaye, China’s ambassador to Canada. Photo: Reuters

Chinese ambassador Lu Shaye warns ‘back-stabbing’ Canada to stop rallying allies in row over detainees

Chinese Ambassador to Canada Lu Shaye meets with media at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's minister of foreign affairs, speaks at a news conference during a U.S.-Canada 2+2 ministerial meeting at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. The ministerial comes amid case of Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of China-based Huawei Technologies, detained in Canada for allegedly conspiring to defraud banks in a manner that put them at risk of violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Chinese Ambassador to Canada Lu Shaye, right, meets with media at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Chinese Ambassador to Canada Lu Shaye, centre, meets with journalists at the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa on Thursday. Photo: AP

Two-thirds of Canadians reject closer ties to China and want Huawei banned from 5G networks, poll says

People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. Photo: Reuters

VANCOUVER, BC - MAY 07: Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou is escorted by security as she leaves her home on May 7, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. Wanzhou is in court prior to extradition hearings and could face criminal charges of conspiracy and fraud in the U.S. Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Packs of Canadian pork are displayed for sale at a supermarket in Beijing, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. China will halt imports from a Canadian company after food safety issues were detected in one batch of pork, the Xinhua state news agency reported Tuesday, a move likely to fuel further speculation that China is retaliating against Canada after it arrested a Chinese tech executive. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

China blasts Ottawa and allies for hypocrisy over detained Canadians, calling Meng Wanzhou’s arrest ‘truly arbitrary’

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, shown last week, on Monday defended the arrest of two Canadians while excoriating Canada and the US for detaining Huawei Technologies CFO Sabrina Meng Wanzhou. Photo: Kyodo

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's minister of foreign affairs, speaks as Mike Pompeo, U.S. secretary of state, right, listens at a news conference during a U.S.-Canada 2+2 ministerial meeting at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. The ministerial comes amid case of Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of China-based Huawei Technologies, detained in Canada for allegedly conspiring to defraud banks in a manner that put them at risk of violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Canada calls for clemency over drug trafficking death sentence for citizen Robert Schellenberg in China

Canada’s foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said officials had spoken to China’s ambassador to Canada and requested clemency. Photo: AP

News

China

Diplomacy


French media brace for arrival of diplomat who represents Beijing’s more active foreign policy
Lu was highly critical of Ottawa’s handling of arrest of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou



French media brace for arrival of diplomat who was highly critical of Ottawa’s handling of arrest of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou.


Huawei Technologies

Meng Wanzhou

Canada

China-Canada relations

China’s ‘outspoken’ Lu Shaye leaves Canada to become ambassador to France

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} French media brace for arrival of diplomat who represents Beijing’s more active foreign policy Lu was highly critical of Ottawa’s handling of arrest of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou

French media brace for arrival of diplomat who represents Beijing’s more active foreign policy

Lu was highly critical of Ottawa’s handling of arrest of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou