Canadian diplomat ‘persona non grata’ in China as row escalates
- Beijing hits back at envoy’s expulsion, declaring one of Ottawa’s representatives ‘an unwelcome person’ who should leave by Saturday
- The move follows claims of interference in Canada’s internal affairs with Zhao Wei accused of helping intelligence officials target an MP
“In response to Canada’s unreasonable actions, China has decided to take reciprocal countermeasures,” the Chinese foreign ministry said on Tuesday, a day after Justin Trudeau’s government expelled Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei.
Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, who works at the consulate general of Canada in Shanghai, was listed as an “unwelcome person” on Tuesday and asked to leave China before May 13.
Hours later, Beijing doubled down and declared Lalonde “persona non grata” as a “reciprocal countermeasure” to Canada’s “unscrupulous move”. Zhao’s expulsion was “based on lies” and would never be accepted by China, said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
“This is China’s move to protect its legitimate rights and interests, and is perfectly justified and necessary,” Wang said.
Wang urged Ottawa to “immediately stop unreasonable provocations”, reiterating the Chinese embassy’s earlier comments that Canada would “bear all the consequences” of Zhao’s expulsion.