Canada: Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau has stated that Canada “will not be intimidated” by China after the Chinese government said it was expelling a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move linked to allegations Beijing sought to intimidate a Canadian legislator and his family.

Mr. Trudeau told reporters that his government made the decision to expel Mr. Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat based in Toronto, from the country after “careful consideration.”

Hours later, Beijing announced it would expel Ms. Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, the Canadian consul in Shanghai, in a “reciprocal countermeasure.”

“We understand there is retaliation, but we will not be intimidated. We will continue to do everything necessary to keep Canadians protected from foreign interference,” Mr. Trudeau remarked, adding that his government had considered that Beijing could take retaliatory steps.

“But we decided that we needed to move forward in a responsible way to send a very clear message that we will not accept foreign interference, and regardless of whatever next choices they make, we will not be intimidated. And more, we will ensure that China continues to see, along with other countries that are engaging in foreign interference, that we take this extraordinarily seriously,” the Canadian prime minister added.

Mr. Trudeau’s government has been under pressure to take action after the Globe and Mail newspaper reported earlier in May 2023 that China had sought information about any relatives of a Canadian legislator “who may be located” within its borders.

China has dismissed the accusations that it interfered in Canada’s internal affairs, accusing Ottawa of expelling Mr. Zhao “based on rumours” that have been “hyped up by some politicians and media.”

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