China’s ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu leaves post amid tensions
- The envoy’s tenure was marked by the arrests of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou and Canada’s 2 Michaels, as well as accusations of Chinese election meddling
- Cong’s departure comes as one of Canada’s most senior diplomats, Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison, is visiting China
China’s ambassador to Canada has left his post after nearly five years, a period marked by heightened tensions between the two countries.
Cong Peiwu has returned to China, according to a representative for Global Affairs Canada who was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly. The news was first reported by the Globe and Mail. China’s embassy in Ottawa declined to comment.
Relations between Canada and China have been strained in the past few years, most recently over concerns about possible meddling by China into Canadian elections. Canada is in the midst of a public inquiry into alleged foreign election interference, primarily by China.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified last week that he did not believe China was successful in swaying the outcome of Canada’s 2019 or 2021 elections.
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China retaliates against Canada by ordering Shanghai-based Canadian diplomat to leave
Still, Trudeau noted that the past two elections occurred during a time of significant strife between the countries.
