Canada has expelled a Chinese diplomat accused of attempting to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker critical of Beijing. The diplomat, Zhao Wei, has been declared “persona non grata” by the Canadian government. Canada’s intelligence agency had uncovered information that China planned to target Conservative Party lawmaker Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong with sanctions and possible threats.
In response China’s foreign ministry declared Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, the consul for the Canadian consulate in Shanghai, “persona non grata” and ordered her to leave China by May 13. These events come amid a series of reports by The Globe and Mail and other news outlets on China’s alleged attempts to influence the 2018 and 2021 Canadian general elections.
Key highlights:
- Canadian lawmaker Michael Chong was targeted by Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei, who attempted to gather information about him and threatened him with sanctions and possible threats
- Canada’s intelligence agency uncovered this information and warned China against interference in its affairs
- In retaliation, China declared Canadian consul Jennifer Lynn Lalonde “persona non grata” and ordered her to leave the country by May 13
