Canada and China expel each other’s diplomats. The reason was the alleged intimidation of a China-critical MP. A further burden for the already difficult relationship between the two countries.
In four days, on May 13, Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lynn Lalonde is scheduled to leave China. According to a statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its website. Expelling Canada’s consul-general in Shanghai is necessary, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said at a daily press conference:
In response to Canada’s unreasonable actions, China has decided to take countermeasures. This is a move by China to protect its legitimate rights and interests, which is absolutely just and necessary.
Motion on Uyghurs in Parliament caused trouble
Canada announced on Monday that it would expel a Chinese diplomat who allegedly intimidated a parliamentarian critical of China. In 2021, the politician introduced a motion in the Canadian parliament that described the oppression of the Muslim Uyghur minority in the Chinese region of Xinjiang as genocide.
Shortly thereafter, the Chinese state and party leadership imposed sanctions on the man. Now China is said to have tried to collect information about his family in Hong Kong in order to make them the target of political sanctions as well. Media reports refer to Canadian intelligence information.
Relations between China and Canada have been strained for years. Five years ago, Canada placed a high-ranking manager of the Chinese technology group Huawei under house arrest. In return, China has arrested two Canadian nationals. All three have since been released. But the relationship remains strained.
Has China influenced elections?
In recent months there have been repeated reports based on intelligence information that China is said to have interfered in the elections in Canada. Under increasing political pressure, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called for a possible Chinese influence to be examined. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stressed that Canada would not tolerate any interference in its internal affairs.