China on Tuesday (May 9) expelled Canada’s consul in Shanghai in a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa said it was sending home a Chinese diplomat accused of trying to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker critical of Beijing.

Beijing’s foreign ministry labelled Jennifer Lynn Lalonde “persona non grata”, which translate “to person not welcome”, in an English statement published online, noting that “China reserves the right to further react.”

Lalonde was told by Chinese officially to leave the country by May 13.

“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious demarches and strong protest to Canada,” the statement said.

A TIT-FOR-TAT RESPONSE FROM CHINA

“As a reciprocal countermeasure in reaction to Canada’s unscrupulous move, China decides to declare Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai persona non grata,” it added.

Neither Canada’s foreign ministry nor its embassy in Beijing or Shanghai consulate have responded to the developing situation.

On Monday (May 8), Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly said Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei would have to leave the country.

Canada, she said, “would not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. We remain firm in our resolve that defending our democracy is of the utmost importance,” she said, adding that foreign diplomats in Canada “have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home.”

The expulsions plunge the two nations into a fresh diplomatic row after years of souring relations.