HANH NGUYEN (According to Reuters)
Chinese Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu on May 4 denied that a Beijing official targeted a Canadian lawmaker and his family for anti-China views, and criticized Ottawa's consideration of expelling the Chinese diplomat .
Canadian Foreign Minister Joly testifies before the House of Commons on May 4. Photo: The Canadian Press
On May 1, Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper cited an intelligence report revealing that China sought information on Canadian opposition MP Michael Chong and his family in 2021. The Conservative lawmaker came under scrutiny for proposing a bill on Uighur Muslims in China's Xinjiang autonomous region. The Canadian parliament later passed the bill, while Beijing placed MP Chong on a sanctions list. According to the Globe and Mail, China wanted to make an "example" of Chong to deter those who oppose the country.
In response, the Chinese Embassy in Canada on May 4 denied the information, calling on Ottawa to “immediately correct the mistake” and “stop spreading lies.” Ambassador Tung “strongly opposed” the threat to expel a Chinese diplomat over speculation about so-called “China’s interference.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning affirmed that China “has always opposed any country interfering in other countries’ internal affairs.” “We have never and have no interest in interfering in Canada’s internal affairs,” Mao stressed.
Earlier in the day, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that she was “considering various options, including expelling diplomats.” Joly announced that she had summoned Ambassador Cong Peiwu to protest efforts to interfere in Canada’s internal affairs. Joly also stated that “no foreign interference is tolerated,” but added that Ottawa was also aware of the possibility that Beijing would respond.
Ottawa is reportedly considering expelling a Beijing diplomat at the Toronto consulate who the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has identified as being involved in attempts to intimidate MP Chong and his family over his critical views of China. Mr. Chong's family lives in Hong Kong.
Canadian election interference?
Mr. Chong's case comes amid other intelligence reports accusing China of trying to interfere in Canadian elections.
Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed David Johnston as a special investigator to assess allegations of Chinese interference in Canada's 2019 and 2021 elections. Johnston will decide whether a public inquiry into alleged Chinese election interference is necessary, and Trudeau has said he will follow the recommendations.
The Globe and Mail recently cited anonymous intelligence sources saying that China wants Prime Minister Trudeau's Liberal Party to be re-elected in the 2021 election, while also seeking to remove Conservative politicians deemed unfriendly to Beijing.
On May 3, China also sharply criticized Prime Minister Trudeau's comments when he linked Chinese-made lithium batteries to slave labor, and warned that Canada could face consequences if it continued to "maliciously smear" the human rights situation in China.
Diplomatic relations between Canada and China began to deteriorate in late 2018 when Canadian police arrested Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, on a U.S. extradition warrant and placed her under house arrest in Vancouver. Beijing retaliated by arresting two Canadians on spying charges. All three were later released.
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