“We decided that we had to send a very clear message: we will not accept foreign interference and, whatever the next choices [as autoridades chinesas] do it, we will not be intimidated”, reacted the head of the Canadian government, after Beijing urged Ottawa to end its “unjustified provocations”.

On Monday, Canada announced the expulsion of Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei, residing in Toronto, accused by Ottawa of having tried to intimidate a Canadian MP critical of the Beijing regime, plunging the two countries into a new acute diplomatic crisis, which Beijing blames. in Ottawa.

Hours later, China retaliated by announcing the expulsion of the Canadian consul in Shanghai, citing an “unscrupulous” decision by Canada and adding that it reserved the right to react further.

“Expelling a diplomat, declaring a foreign diplomat ‘persona non grata’, is an important and serious measure,” continued Justin Trudeau.

“We are aware that this involves retaliation, but we will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect our citizens from foreign interference or fear,” he added, calling the decision a demonstration of “the firmness from Canada”.

Relations between Beijing and Ottawa have been particularly tense since the arrest by Canadian authorities in 2018 of an official of the Chinese telecommunications group Huawei and the retaliatory arrest by China of two Canadian citizens.

Although the three men were later released, tensions have persisted, with Beijing criticizing Ottawa for its alignment with Washington’s China policy and Canadian officials regularly accusing Beijing of interference.

For weeks, Justin Trudeau’s government has come under increasing pressure to act against China, which has been accused of numerous interferences in Canada’s internal affairs, including attempts to influence the results of the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections.