New information provided by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), cleared certain aspects on China’s diplomatic presence.
CTV new indicated that uneven attention that China has over Canada, with a comprehensive analysis of Chinese representative. Experts suggests the numbers may indicate that diplomatic influence may have transformed into interference.
It is confirmed that there are 176 Chinese national with diplomatic status in Canada, numbers also include consular employees, representing civil aviation organization. Sixteen individuals are administrative or technical staff. Zhao Wei, has since been expelled out of the country, is not included in the 176 Chinese nationals and worked out of the Chinese consulate in Toronto.
The government stamped Zhao persona non grata on May 8th as information revealed that he was eyeing conservative MP Michael Chong. It is mentioned that more diplomats may have crossed the line.
Michel Juneau Katsuya, former CSIS Asia-pacific chief, informed that a large number of Chinese diplomats are involved in espionage in Canada. Certain individuals are to spy on community, and other are given the responsibility of acquiring political influence, and elect officials to support Chinese ideology in Canada, said Juneau-Katsuya. He informed that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
After United States, China has the largest diplomatic presence in Canada. CSIS classified Russia and Iran as foreign interference threats, however, has a smaller presence in Canada when compared to China. As the federal government had concerns about Iran’s support for terrorism, the Iranian embassy closed in Ottawa in 2012.
US government is also willing to keep China in check. The government requested China to close its consulate in Houston, accusing China of trying to steal scientific research.
Beijing has interest in placing more diplomats in Canada, since it considered Canada as a “easy mark”. Having weak laws against foreign interference, says former Canadian diplomat Charles Burton.
The federal government has to monitor more effectively the activities of diplomats and prosecute foreign interference, says senior fellow with the McDonald- Laurier institute, Burton.
Canada should gear up for retaliation as it fights interference, says Colin Robertson, Vice- President of global affairs institute. Robertson informed that, China sees Canada as less threatening than US and willing to do things to Canada that they dare not with US.
