Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly indicated on Thursday that Canada is considering expelling Chinese diplomats after a report from intelligence agencies revealed that one of them planned to intimidate the relatives of a Canadian MP in Hong Kong. She noted that her department is planning to summon the Chinese ambassador to a meeting to confirm that Canada will not tolerate such interference. Joly stated before a parliamentary committee, "We are evaluating different options, including the expulsion of diplomats."
Chinese Ambassador to Canada Kong Piu "strongly" protested Ottawa's threats to expel several Chinese diplomats suspected of attempting to engage in "local political intimidation," and he denied the accusations against them. The ambassador also rejected claims that a Beijing official targeted a Canadian legislator and their family over an anti-China stance, denouncing Ottawa's statement made by Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. The Chinese embassy described this as a "political farce" and urged "Canadian authorities to put an end to it. If the Canadian side continues these provocations, China will respond to every step along this path until the end."
