Canada has expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei who was accused of being involved in a campaign to intimidate Canadian opposition legislator critical of Beijing.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said the Canadian government has designated Zhao, persona non grata. He stated Canada will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs and take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty.
Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behavior, they will be sent home. However, the Chinese government has rejected the allegations and said it has no interest whatsoever in doing so.
China has warned it will resolutely take countermeasures if the Canadian side acts recklessly.
The accusations this month have led to renewed tensions between Ottawa and Beijing. The two countries have had frosty relations for several years over a range of issues, including human rights, trade and the arrests of Canadian and Chinese citizens.
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