China's envoy to Canada leaves post after 5 years amid brewing tensions

China’s Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu left his post after nearly five years, amid brewing tensions between the two nations. According to a representative for Global Affairs Canada, Cong Peiwu has returned to China. However, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa has declined to comment on the matter, CBC News reported.

Peiwu served as China’s ambassador to Canada since 2019 and the news of his exit was first reported by multiple news outlets. The Chinese diplomat’s exit came as the diplomatic relations between the two nations nose-dived into an abyss.

How China-Canada ties soured in recent years 

A series of tense developments contributed to the deterioration of relations between China and Canada. This included Beijing’s decision to detain Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig from late 2018 until fall 2021.

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Their arrest was seen as a retaliation for the Vancouver arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, on a US extradition warrant. Most recently, there has been a rise in concerns about possible meddling by China in Canadian elections.

Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified over the matter. During his testimony, he stated that he did not believe that China was successful in swaying the outcome of the 2019 and 2021 federal elections in Canada.

Canada tries to mend relations with China

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly’s office has confirmed her deputy minister David Morrison is in China to improve ties between the two nations. However, Global Affairs Canada has yet to release an itinerary for his visit.

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In January this year, both nations have made statements pledging to communicate and collaborate with each other. During the talks, Joly spoke with her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi about several geopolitical issues.

The conversation between the two diplomats revolved around the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, and Russia’s military operation in Ukraine and both Joly and Wang Yi agreed to cooperate in the fight against climate change.

The dialogue between the two nations came months after the Canadian premier said that a rapprochement with China would be impossible due to concerns over foreign interference.

One of the biggest catalysts that led to the ongoing diplomatic row between Ottawa and Beijing was the fact that Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat and accused him of targeting a Canadian Conservative lawmaker and his family in Hong Kong.

This promoted China to turf a Canadian envoy in response. However, amid the chaos, Cong said in an interview at that time that China would like to see the relationship “back on track”.

“But it’s up to the Canadian side to make sure that they will correct mistakes and not be engaged in any further provocation or confrontation,” Cong said. He also mentioned that his country would continue to do business in Canada’s domestic critical minerals sector despite Trudeau’s crackdown on foreign investment.