Canada has expelled a Chinese diplomat, who was accused in an intelligence report of attempting to intimidate a Canadian lawmaker.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Monday that the decision was made after careful consideration. She added that Canada will not tolerate any form of foreign interference.
The move comes after Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper published a report last week. It said the Canadian Security Intelligence Service disclosed in 2021 that Beijing had taken specific actions to threaten Canadian MP Michael Chong and his family in Hong Kong.
Chong has been highly critical of China's treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority.
The agency also said the consular official, who has been expelled, gathered information about Chong's family. It said the official may have undertaken the action to "make an example of" Chong and deter others from being critical of Beijing.
The Chinese embassy in Canada is strongly denying the allegations. It issued a statement saying that China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs. It also said that Beijing will respond with what it calls "resolute countermeasures."