China expels Canadian consular official in Shanghai

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, as "persona non grata" and ordering her to leave China by May 13, a notice posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website said.

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 condemns and firmly opposes” the move and lodged stern representations with Canada.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry's announcement also said Beijing reserves 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 warned that "it will resolutely take countermeasures and Canada will have to bear all the consequences"./.