Can China and Canada keep latest row under control after diplomats expelled?

Beijing’s tit-for-tat expulsion of a Canadian envoy is seen by some analysts as a way of warning Ottawa not to take things further

The move came after a Chinese diplomat accused of targeting a Conservative lawmaker was told to leave Canada

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Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei has been accused of targeting a Canadian lawmaker. Photo: Weibo

Published: 6:00pm, 14 May 2023

China’s expulsion of a Canadian diplomat was a warning to Ottawa not to escalate the row between the two countries further, analysts have said.

Last week, the Chinese foreign ministry declared Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, who was based at the consulate in Shanghai, persona non grata as a “reciprocal countermeasure” for the expulsion of Zhao Wei, a Toronto-based diplomat accused of helping intelligence agencies intimidate a Canadian lawmaker and his family.

Beijing has called the accusations “unfounded” and “politically driven,” while the Canadian government has promised to crack down further on “foreign interference” if necessary.

But China’s reciprocal response indicated it was looking to “manage escalations”, according to Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.

“The tit-for-tat is, I think, to signal to Ottawa that Beijing is serious and can bring more pressure to bear should Ottawa decide to pursue the matter,” he said.

“Should investigations [by Canada] result in other administrative and judicial processes, Beijing could respond more strongly.”

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