Beijing has expelled a Canadian diplomat in response to Ottawa’s decision to send a Toronto-based Chinese diplomat home, after accusations emerged that he tried to intimidate a lawmaker.

In a tit-for-tat response, the Foreign Ministry announced that Canadian envoy Jennifer Lynn Lalonde has been expelled as a "reciprocal countermeasure" to Canada’s "unscrupulous move", and that she has been asked to leave the country by May 13.

Later in the day, a ministry spokesperson described the expulsion of Lynn Lalonde as "just and necessary".

"China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs. The expulsion of a Chinese diplomat violates rules governing international relations," spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular press briefing.

Earlier, Beijing's embassy in Ottawa condemned Canada’s expulsion of Zhao Wei, and called on Ottawa to "step back from the brink". It added that Canada had "sabotaged" relations between the two nations.

Ottawa on Monday expelled diplomat Zhao after an intelligence report accused him of having sought to intimidate the Hong Kong relatives of Michael Chong, a Canadian lawmaker.

"We will not tolerate any form of foreign interference," Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Monday.

Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, citing an intelligence report from 2021, had said Beijing sought information about Chong and his family in a likely effort to "make an example" of him and "deter others from taking an anti-PRC position".

China's Toronto consulate-general said the report on Chong has "no factual basis and is purely baseless". (Agencies)
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Last updated: 2023-05-09 HKT 15:49