Chinese diplomat is being expelled by Canada after Zhao Wei was accused of involvement in a campaign with the intention to intimidate a Canadian opposition legislator critical of Beijing.
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| Canada Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly. Photo: Monicah Mwangi/Reuters via Al Jazeera |
On Monday, via a statement, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, said, the government of Canada has designated Zhao, a diplomat based in Toronto “persona non grata”.
Joly said, “I have been clear: we will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home.”
The allegations have been rejected by the Chinese government that it interfered in Canada’s internal affairs, saying, last week, it has “no interest whatsoever in doing so”.
The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa, on Monday, released a statement on its website condemning the expulsion repeating its position that Beijing has never interfered in Canada’s internal matters.
The statement warned, “China will resolutely take countermeasures.
“If the Canadian side acts recklessly, China will definitely fight back resolutely and forcefully.”
