Zhao Wei — the Chinese diplomat accused of targeting the family of Conservative MP Michael Chong — has left Canada, a government source said.
Beijing ordered the dismissal of a Canadian diplomat in response to the expulsion of Zhao Wei
Zhao Wei — the Chinese diplomat accused of targeting the family of Conservative MP Michael Chong — has left Canada, a government source said.
The federal government announced on Monday that it was deporting Zhao in response to reports that the diplomat played a role in attempts to gather information about Chong’s family in Hong Kong in 2021 following the deputy’s conviction. of Beijing’s conduct in the Xinjiang region as genocide.
Zhao flew out of Canada on Friday, the source said.
The Globe and Mail, citing a top secret document from 2021, reported last week that the Chinese government was targeting a Canadian MP. An unnamed security source reportedly told The Globe that Zhao was allegedly working on efforts to target Chong’s family in China.
Beijing responded to the expulsion on Tuesday by expelling Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, consul at the Canadian consulate in Shanghai. Lalonde must leave China by Saturday, according to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With files by David Cochrane