China expelled Canada’s consul in Shanghai on Tuesday in retaliation for Ottawa’s expulsion of a Chinese diplomat accused of attempting to intimidate a Canadian senator critical of Beijing.
In an English statement released online, Beijing’s foreign ministry labeled Jennifer Lynn Lalonde “persona non grata,” adding that “China reserves the right to further react.”
Lalonde was instructed to depart China by May 13.
“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious demarches and strong protest to Canada,” the statement said, referring to Ottawa’s decision to expel a Chinese diplomat in Toronto.
“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,” it added.
“China reserves the right to further react.”
AFP’s requests for comment were not responded to by Canada’s foreign ministry, embassy in Beijing, or consulate in Shanghai.
Beijing’s move comes after Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced Chinese envoy Zhao Wei, who is based in Toronto, would have to leave the country.
She stated that Canada will “not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our domestic affairs.”
“We remain firm in our resolve that defending our democracy is of the utmost importance,” she said, adding that foreign diplomats in Canada “have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home’.
The expulsions plunge the two nations into a fresh diplomatic row after years of souring relations.
