After years of strained relations, the expulsion of the Canadian diplomat on Tuesday has rekindled tensions between the two countries.
The Chinese government has expelled the Canadian top diplomatic officer in Shanghai as a reaction to the early directive given by the Canadian government that expelled a Chinese diplomat over an alleged accusation of trying to intimidate a lawmaker.
After years of strained relations, the expulsion of the Canadian diplomat on Tuesday has rekindled tensions between the two countries.
This controversy arose after claims surfaced in Canada that Chinese intelligence had planned to sanction MP Michael Chong and his relatives in Hong Kong for introducing a motion criticising Beijing's actions in the Xinjiang province as genocide.
In response, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei, who is located in Toronto and reportedly played a role in the plot, would be required to leave the country.
She stated that Canada will "not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs".
The Chinese foreign ministry blasted Zhao's expulsion decision on Tuesday, saying it had ordered Canadian consul Jennifer Lynn Lalonde to depart the country by May 13.
"As a reciprocal countermeasure in reaction to Canada's unscrupulous move, China decides to declare Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai persona non grata," the ministry added.
Meanwhile foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin urged Canada to stop "unreasonable provocations".
"If the Canadian side doesn't listen to this advice and acts recklessly, (China) will take resolute and forceful retaliatory measures, and all consequences will be borne by the Canadian side," Wang told a regular press briefing.
According to AFP journalists, a solitary police car was parked outside the Shanghai office building where the embassy is located.
Inside, appointments appeared to be proceeding normally, and receptionists claimed to be oblivious to the events of Tuesday.
AFP's requests for comment were not responded to by either Canada's foreign ministry or its embassy in Beijing.
"We remain firm in our resolve that defending our democracy is of the utmost importance," Joly said Monday, adding that foreign diplomats in Canada "have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home".
Following allegations in recent months that China attempted to swing Canada's 2019 and 2021 elections in his party's favour, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced increasing pressure to take a harsh line on China.
Relations between Beijing and Ottawa have been strained since Canada arrested a top Huawei executive in 2018 and detained two Canadian Canadians in China in retribution.
Although all three have been released, Beijing has continued to criticise Ottawa for agreeing with Washington's China policy, while Canadian officials have frequently accused China of interfering.
Following the summons of China's ambassador last week in connection with the latest charges of influence, Beijing condemned Canada's "groundless slander and defamation" on Friday.
The Chinese foreign ministry argued that Canadian politicians and the media had "hyped up" the incident.
On Monday, Chong told reporters in Ottawa: "It shouldn't have taken the targeting of a member of Parliament to make this (expulsion) decision."
"We have known for years that the PRC is using its accredited diplomats here in Canada to target Canadians and their families," he said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China.
He said Canada has become "a playground for foreign interference," including the harassment of diaspora communities.