China protests expulsion of diplomat in Canada

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa, in response to Canada expelling a Chinese diplomat, said the consequences arising from the action shall be borne by the Canadian side.

"The Chinese side strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged stern protest with the Canadian side," said a statement on the embassy website.

The Canadian government declared a diplomat from the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto "persona non grata", Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced on Monday.

The Chinese embassy said the move was based on "rumors of the so-called 'China Interference' hyped up by some politicians and media" and it has "seriously violated international law".

The Chinese government also said that it has rejected the allegations of meddling in Canada's domestic affairs and has "no interest whatsoever in doing so".

"China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs. The so-called 'China Interference' is totally groundless, which is the out-and-out smear of China and the political manipulation driven by ideological bias.

"Such provocations by the Canadian side have severely undermined the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel," the embassy statement said.

"Instead of protecting China's diplomatic and consular personnel's legitimate rights, the Canadian side has chosen to condone and echo the anti-China forces' hype-up and conduct extreme actions against a Chinese consular official. China does not accept this completely," the statement said. "We urge the Canadian side to step back from the brink and refrain from moving further down the wrong path. If the Canadian side acts wantonly and arbitrarily, it will be met with China's resolute and strong reactions."