A new diplomatic crisis has erupted between Canada and China following the expulsion of the Canadian consul in Shanghai this Tuesday, May 9, in retaliation for a similar decision by Ottawa against a Chinese diplomat accused of intimidating a Canadian MP .

Between threats and outbids. China on Tuesday urged Canada to end its “unjustified provocations” after the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat accused of attempting to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker. A decision that triggers a new diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

“We advise the Canadian side to stop their unwarranted provocations,” Chinese diplomatic spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters, warning that if Canada “does not heed this advice,” China will take “vigorous and forceful measures.”

Beijing’s Foreign Ministry called Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, consul at the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai, “persona non grata” in a statement published online, adding, “China reserves the right to respond further.” to leave before May 13”.

The statement also said that China “strongly condemns” and strongly opposes Ottawa’s decision to deport a Chinese diplomat to Toronto. She has taken serious steps and directed strong protests to Canada.”

Relationships “sabotaged”

It all started the day before, on Monday, May 8, when Canada announced the expulsion of Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei, plunging the two countries into a new diplomatic crisis that Beijing blames on Ottawa.

“We will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs,” said Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, announcing the expulsion within five days of the diplomat, described in the country as “persona non grata”.

China, Canada’s second-largest trading partner, was quick to condemn the decision, accusing Ottawa of “sabotaging” their already strained relations. Strong words when Beijing had already spoken of “slander” and “slander” from Canada last week after summoning its ambassador.

As a reminder, Zhao Wei has been accused by Ottawa of being at the center of intimidation attempts against a Canadian Conservative MP. Michael Chong and his family would have come under Chinese pressure because of the opposition MP’s criticism of Beijing, particularly on the Uyghur issue.

Several years of pent-up tension

However, Justin Trudeau’s government has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks to speak out against Beijing, which has been accused of numerous interferences in Canadian affairs.

And with good reason, relations between the two partner countries have deteriorated sharply in recent years, particularly after Canada’s 2018 arrest of an executive of Huawei Group, the Chinese telecoms giant, and China’s retaliatory detention of two executives Canadian nationals .

Although all three have since been released, tensions remain: Beijing still criticizes Ottawa for its alignment with Washington’s China policy, and Canadian authorities regularly accuse China of meddling.

It should be noted that China is also suspected of trying to interfere in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections. A number of articles published by the Canadian media specifically address secret funding or campaign involvement by some candidates. The allegations have so far been “resolutely” rejected by the Chinese authorities.