Canada and China Engage in Diplomatic Dispute with Mutual Expulsions of Diplomats

The diplomatic dispute between Canada and China continues to escalate, with both sides engaging in a tit-for-tat exchange of expulsions of diplomats. On Tuesday, Beijing declared a Canadian diplomat as “persona non grata” in retaliation for Ottawa’s decision to expel a Chinese consular official over allegations of foreign interference. The expelled official, Zhao Wei, was accused of being involved in a plot to intimidate Conservative MP Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong.

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly, defended the decision to expel Zhao Wei, stating that it was made after careful consideration of all factors and in a serious manner. She also announced that the government would update its guidance to travellers if it perceives the risk to Canadians in China as rising higher than its current level, which asks Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that his government would not be intimidated by Beijing’s retaliatory measures and that it would take whatever action is necessary to protect Canadian democracy. The situation remains tense, with China reserving the right to take further action, and Canada asserting that it will take whatever action is necessary to keep Canadians safe.

The ongoing dispute is further straining already fragile relations between the two countries, which have been strained since Canada’s arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in 2018. China has since detained two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, and has linked their detention to Meng’s case, which has sparked international condemnation.

The diplomatic spat is also a reminder of the challenges that Canada and other countries face in dealing with China’s increasing assertiveness on the global stage. It highlights the need for countries to balance economic interests with security concerns and to take a principled approach to defending democratic values and human rights.