Expulsion of a Canadian diplomat | “We will not be intimidated,” warns Trudeau

Posted On: September 24, 2023

(Ottawa) The expulsion of the Canadian consul in Shanghai in direct response to that of a Chinese diplomat from the consulate in Toronto will not intimidate Canada, Justin Trudeau said. Still, he hopes Beijing will not hit Ottawa with additional sanctions.

Updated May 9th

According to the Chinese government, the Chinese government reacted quickly to the dismissal of its diplomat Zhao Wei, who allegedly developed a campaign of threats against Conservative MP Michael Chong and members of his family in Hong Kong Globe and mail.

“In response to Canada’s unscrupulous decision, China has decided to take a countermeasure, stating Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, Consul at the Canadian Consulate General in Shanghai: unwanted person Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said this on Tuesday.

The diplomat must leave no later than May 13, he added, accusing “the Canadian media and senior politicians of using so-called “classified documents” from CSIS. [Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité] “to denigrate China’s diplomatic and consular missions in Canada,” the official English transcript reads.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to stand his ground in Parliament Tuesday morning, arguing that Ottawa made the decision “responsibly and thoughtfully” because it was unacceptable “for people to try.” […] to interfere in our democracy.”

Yes, the Chinese regime fought back. “But we will continue to do what is in the best interests of Canadians. We will not allow ourselves to be intimidated,” he argued in a press conference before his cabinet meeting.

However, Beijing’s spokesman warned that further retaliation could follow.

What if China imposed sanctions on Canadian export products in response to Meng Wanzhou’s arrest, as it did for canola or pork in 2019? “We’re here to help businesses and producers, but we hope that doesn’t happen at this point,” Justin Trudeau said.

Joly responds

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly disposed of diplomat Zhao Wei on Monday persona NO Grata in the country.

I have always said it: we will never accept any form of foreign interference. I was serious, we were serious, when we said this type of behavior would have consequences.

Mélanie Joly, Foreign Minister, at a press conference on Tuesday morning

Canada, she said, “notes the Chinese decision” to expel Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, a “highly respected” career diplomat who has always respected the Vienna Convention [sur les relations diplomatiques] “.

The alert level for Canadians in China remains unchanged. “The travel advisory already indicates that Canadians should exercise great caution when deciding to travel to China,” Minister Joly noted.

Although he said he was quite happy with the sanction overall, Rep. Michael Chong criticized the Liberals for their slow action. “It shouldn’t have taken so long.” “It shouldn’t have taken two years for the government to make the decision from the moment it was informed,” he reacted on Monday.

The Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei has to pack his bags and leave the country in four days at the latest.

According to Global Affairs Canada on Monday, this would be the first time since the 1970s that a Middle Kingdom representative stationed in Canada would be shown the door.