Canada expels Chinese diplomat for alleged intimidation of lawmaker

Michael Chong has been an outspoken critic of the treatment of the Uyghur Muslims by the Chinese government. Photograph: Canadian Press/Shutterstock

Canada has expelled a Chinese diplomat after an intelligence report accused him of trying to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker critical of China’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority.

“Canada has decided to declare persona non grata Mr Zhao Wei,” the Canadian foreign minister, Mélanie Joly, said in a statement on Monday. “The decision has been taken after careful consideration of all factors at play.”