How China threatened a Canadian parliamentarian
The Canadian police are now investigating the case.
In Canada, the scandal surrounding the alleged Chinese interference in the 2015 election continues unabated. This time, Chinese diplomats are in the spotlight. The Conservative Party believes they threatened Michael Chong, a Canadian parliamentarian. He is known for his anti-communist views and has repeatedly criticized China's ideology. He has also blocked the promotion of China-friendly laws.
In 2021, Chong gave a speech in Parliament in which he denounced Beijing's policy toward Uighurs and called it genocide. Immediately afterwards, China imposed sanctions on him and allegedly blackmailed the politician by threatening his relatives in Hong Kong. Because of rumors about this, Canada expelled the Chinese ambassador from the country. China was not left in the lurch, called all the accusations false and sent the Canadian ambassador home.
This is not the only investigation related to Chinese activities. Police in Canada are now looking into about 100 similar cases. Many Canadian politicians claim to have been targeted by Beijing after criticizing it.
Former Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole claimed that the Chinese government had launched a voter disinformation campaign against him.
Jenny Kwan, a Member of Parliament for the New Democratic Party, also considers herself a victim of Chinese attacks. She had previously accused Beijing of human rights violations against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.
China denies all accusations and calls them defamatory. Beijing says it does not intend to antagonize Canada, but will respond symmetrically to all government actions.
The expulsion of the Chinese ambassador and the media scandal have already worsened relations between Ottawa and Beijing.
