A growing number of opposition MPs have joined Chong’s call for the diplomat to be expelled. Chong has also criticised Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government for not telling him two years ago about the alleged threat, contained in a Canadian intelligence report quoted by the Globe and Mail.
“Certain Canadian politicians and media, based on false reports, hyped up the so-called ‘China’s interference in Canada’s internal affairs’ and falsely claimed that relevant Chinese consular officials in Canada had made so-called ‘threats’ against the Canadian MP and his relatives,” the embassy spokesperson said.
The embassy urged Canada to “immediately correct its mistakes” and “stop spreading lies about China”, warning they would damage relations between the two countries. China has “no interest” in interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, it said.
Instead, the embassy criticised the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), in an apparent reference to reports by Canada’s media that the agency wiretapped the Chinese embassy in 2013.
“The facts are clear at a glance, who is interfering in other countries’ internal affairs, who is engaging in espionage activities and who is threatening others,” the embassy said.
Trudeau said he was not informed by the CSIS about Chong and his family because the matter was “not concerning enough”. He has ordered the agency to release such information immediately in future.
Canada’s relations with China have been strained for years, with Trudeau accusing Beijing of meddling in Canada’s elections in 2019 and 2021, which Beijing has denied.
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Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau alleges China interfered in 2019 and 2021 elections
Trudeau has been particularly vocal about human rights issues in China. A few days ago, he linked Chinese production of lithium to “slave labour” during a visit to the US.
Last year, Canada joined its Five Eyes partners – the US, Britain, Australia and New Zealand – in banning Huawei’s 5G equipment, while also releasing an Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at an increased military presence in the region in response to a “disruptive” China.
