Canada is expelling the Chinese diplomat who allegedly worked with Beijing to target Conservative MP Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement Monday that Zhao Wei, a diplomat at the Chinese consulate in Toronto, has been declared “persona non grata” in Canada. “This decision has been taken after careful consideration of all factors at play,” Joly said.
The minister added other diplomats in Canada have been warned they will be sent home if they engage in acts of foreign interference.
Canada has decided to declare persona non grata, Mr. Zhao Wei. pic.twitter.com/rZXeNTtdV4 — Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) <a href=«https://twitter.com/melaniejoly/status/1655653184260431887?ref_src=» https:>May 8, 2023 The action comes after a week of calls by Chong and other Conservative MPs to expel Zhao, following a Globe and Mail report last Monday that alleged he was involved with Beijing’s intelligence service in targeting Chong and his family. “It shouldn’t have taken this long,” Chong told reporters in Ottawa following the announcement. “It shouldn’t have taken the targeting of a member of Parliament to make this decision.