Canada is ruminating about the expulsion of the Chinese diplomat after reports of China spying on a Canadian lawmaker‘s family to fend off any “anti-China” stance.
Table of Contents
1. What is the latest escalation?
Recently, Toronto and Beijing have been at loggerheads over an “intelligence report” of China trying to get the contours of the family of a Canadian lawmaker dwelling in Hong Kong in order to intimidate and deter any activity that undermines Chinese interests. As per the intelligence reports, China has targeted the Conservative Canadian MP, Michael Chong.
Chong is a staunch supporter of the Uighur Muslims and was also a supporter of the 2021 Canadian Parliament motion alleging the Muslim genocide of Uighur Muslims by China. The Canadian foreign minister, Melanie Joly, asserted that the Canadian parliament is discussing various avenues in retaliation to the intelligence report, including the expulsion of the Chinese diplomat. The minister reiterated that Canada will not endure such gross acts of internal interference and will continue to emphasise the “human rights violations” carried out by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
2. China-Canada relations
Michel Chong stated that the “untenable” act of the PRC will not go unanswered and that the Canadian government cannot stand the actions of the former, jeopardising the interests of the Canadian people.
However, Beijing has denied all the allegations, asserting that it has never “interfered in the internal affairs of Canada” and is not interested in carrying out such activities. Also stating that China will always look to protect its own interests, sovereignty, and security.
The Chinese embassy in Canada has not made any remarks regarding the situation.
The Canadian spy agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), has reported that Beijing wishes to “set an example”, for anyone who targets the Chinese government regarding human rights violations.
There were anonymous media outlets in Canada averring that Beijing has also tried to interfere in the last two elections in Toronto, in 2019 and 2021. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also stated that CSIS should not withhold any such intelligence reports and alleged they have not passed on the reports on time.
Earlier, Traideu also stated that China’s lithium industry has “slave labourer” practices. The above statements were outright rubbished by the PRC government, which also warned about “possible consequences in the tie.” China stated that any remarks that portray China in a denigrating manner will be dealt with with the requisite ramifications.
3. The stiff geopolitical situation
China lately has been in a bad light for several reasons, mainly due to its authoritarian stance on the Uighur Muslim genocide issue. Over the past few years, umpteen international organisations have condemned Chinese actions against the minority community. The minority community is under constant threat of losing their human rights. They have been put in detention camps where they are abused, assaulted, and even forced to abandon their language and religion. In the province of Xinjiang in northeastern China, satellite images and other pieces of evidence prove such activities are sponsored by the communist party. However, China has warned against any indulgence in its internal matters.
Since the past few years, the relationship between Western allies led by the US and China has plummeted to a bleak condition. This is a mark of the “new world order,” in which Cold War-like conditions are brewing. The recent “spying-ballons” incident in US territory by China is a testament to the tense situation.
A lot remains to be seen in how the tense situation between China and Canada is quelled, keeping in mind the larger interests of the world.
