Beijing is responding to Canada’s expulsion of a Chinese diplomat, whom CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) alleges was involved in a plot targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong and members of his family in Hong Kong two years ago.

Following Monday’s announcement from Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly that Toronto-based diplomat Zhao Wei has five days to leave the country, the Chinese Foreign Ministry now says the consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai has been declared “persona non grata”.

Jennifer Lynn Lalonde must leave China by May 13th.

Prior to the tit for tat move by China, Michael Chong told reporters in Ottawa, Canada’s expulsion of Zhao Wei should have happened years ago.

“I hope this makes it clear to not just the PRC (People’s Republic of China), but other authoritarian states, who have representation here in Canada, that this crossing the line of diplomacy into foreign interference threat activities is utterly unacceptable here on Canadian soil,” Chong explained.

Other reaction to Minister Joly’s announcement includes China’s embassy in Ottawa which has issued a statement that accuses Canada of breaching international law and acting based on anti-Chinese sentiment.

According to an official English translation provided by the embassy, it says the move “sabotaged” relations between China and Canada and promised unspecified retaliatory measures.