Explained | What led to the latest diplomatic row between China and Canada? Premium

Check out The Hind explainer on the latest diplomatic row between China and Canada. Why did the two countries expel diplomats and what lies ahead.

The story so far: The already-strained diplomatic relations between Canada and China hit a new low following Bejing’s expulsion of a Canadian diplomat after Ottawa asked a Chinese envoy to leave the country for allegedly targeting a Canadian lawmaker critical of China’s human rights record.

On Monday, the Justin Trudeau-led government declared Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei “persona non grata,” and hours later, China announced a “reciprocal countermeasure” by asking Jennnifer Lynn Lalonde, a top diplomat in the Canadian consulate in Shanghai, to leave the country by May 13. Tensions soared with China saying it holds the “right to take further actions in response”, while Prime Minister Trudeau put out a strongly worded statement, reiterating that Canada will not be intimidated. 

At the centre of the latest Sino-Canada spat is a report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Earlier this month, The Globe and Mail added to the series of media reports about growing Chinese interference in Canada. Its report on an intel document from 2021 detailed potential threats to opposition lawmaker Michael Chong and his family in Hong Kong over the latter’s criticism of Beijing. 

Citing an anonymous national security official as its source, the newspaper reported that Chinese consul Zhao Wei was involved in gathering information about Mr. Chong and his family in Hong Kong to target him over his anti-Chinese sentiments and for further sanctions— to “make an example” of him and “deter others from taking an anti-PRC position.”

In 2021, Mr. Chong led legislative efforts to declare China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang as “genocide”. In response, Beijing sanctioned the lawmaker and barred his entry into China.

After details of the CSIS report were revealed, the Canadian government was heavily criticised for its inaction against China. While Mr. Chong said he was disappointed to find out about the risk to his family’s life from a newspaper, Mr. Trudeau claimed he was not made aware of the intel by the spy agency.

Internal deliberations followed about the future course of action, seemingly to prepare for any economic repercussions since China is Canada’s second-biggest trade partner.