China has expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat measure.
On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry ordered that Canada's consul in Shanghai Consulate Jennifer Lynn Lalonde should leave the country.
The move came a day after Ottawa expelled Toronto-based Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei, who is accused of trying to intimidate a Canadian Member of Parliament.
Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly declared him "persona non grata." He was given five days to leave the country.
Lalonde has been asked to leave China before May 13.
These incidents further deteriorate China-Canada ties.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has justified the expulsion of the Canadian diplomat, saying it was a "just and necessary" action.
"China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs. The expulsion of a Chinese diplomat violates rules governing international relations," spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters.
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