China expels Canadian consular official in Shanghai
After Canada announced the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat in Toronto, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on May 9 that a Canadian consular official in Shanghai was “persona non grata.”
In response to Canada's "unreasonable actions," China has decided to take countermeasures, declaring Jennifer Lalonde, a consular official at the Canadian Consulate General in Shanghai, a "persona non grata" and ordering her to leave China by May 13, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
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| Ms. Jennifer Lalonde (standing) participates in a community activity in Shanghai in 2021. Photo: Embassy of Canada in China. |
Beijing’s move came after the Canadian government declared a diplomat at the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto “persona non grata.” China “strongly condemned and resolutely opposed” the move and lodged stern representations with Canada.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry's announcement also said Beijing reserved the right to make further responses.
Previously, on May 8, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced the expulsion of a Chinese diplomat accused of threatening Canadian MP Michael Chong and his relatives.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada immediately issued a statement, calling the Canadian government's expulsion of Chinese consular officials based on the so-called "China's interference in Canada's internal affairs" "fabrication" and "groundless", "deliberately sabotaging China-Canada relations", and warning that "China will resolutely take countermeasures and Canada will have to bear all the consequences"./.
