China Expels Canadian Diplomat in Tit-for-tat Row

China and Canada expelled each other’s diplomats this week, escalating already tense bilateral relations.

 On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry listed Jennifer Lynn Lalonde of the Canadian consulate in Shanghai as “persona non grata” – and asked her to leave China before Saturday.

The move came after Canada on Monday expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei. Canada alleged Zhao, who was based in Toronto, of foreign interference.

He was accused of targeting Canadian MP Michael Chong, a conservative lawmaker and critic of China’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority. Canadian spy agencies authored a report in 2021, warning of potential threats to Chong and his Hong Kong-based family. Chong praised Zhao’s expulsion on Monday, but said it came late.