China unleashes Wolf Warrior diplomacy on Canada

The Chinese Ambassador to Canada stirred a huge diplomatic row recently when he warned the Canadian government not to grant asylum to Hong Kong residents who were fleeing following a draconian national security law imposed by Communist China on the island.

Ambassador Cong Peiwu branded pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong as violent criminals and said if Canada grants them asylum that amounts to interference in China's internal affairs. Cong also warned that “the good health and safety” of Canadians in Hong Kong might be at risk if Ottawa did not toe Beijing’s line. Asked to clarify if this was a threat, he said, “that is your interpretation”.

The remarks were the latest example of China’s new “wolf warrior” style of diplomacy. The Liberal Government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded with a toughened public response. Trudeau accused China of “coercive diplomacy” and said Canada would “stand up loudly and clearly for human rights” including the “very concerning situation in Hong Kong”.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Francois Philippe Champagne gave a dressing down to Beijing’s ambassador by summoning Cong for “unacceptable and disturbing” remarks about Canadians in Hong Kong and asked him “to make clear in no uncertain terms that Canada will always stand up for human rights and the rights of Canadians around the world”.

The Chinese diplomat's comments sparked a major row in Canada and were seen by many as a direct threat. Conservative opposition leader Erin O’Toole called for Cong to apologise or be kicked out of the country. In parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland called Cong’s remarks, “not appropriate in any way of diplomatic relations”.

The Canadian press also calling on Cong to apologise, adding "if he won't apologise and retract his threats, boot him back to Beijing". There are signs that Canada is becoming more determined and resolute.

Sino-Canadian relations have been frosty since 2018, when two Canadians were detained in China in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who is fighting a US extradition request in the Supreme Court of British Columbia in December 2018. A host of other issues contribute to the current abysmal state of the relationship; China’s subsequent arrest of two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michal Kovrig, who China accuses of spying but are widely regarded in Canada as hostages; espionage fears over Huawei’s desire to help build 5G internet networks in Canada; and dismay over events in Hong Kong, including the treatment of protesters and the imposition of the controversial national security law.

Some leading Hong Kong protesters have fled to the West in recent months after Beijing passed a security law that reduces the city's autonomy and makes it easier to punish pro-democracy protesters. Hong Kong, a former British colony, is part of China but enjoys unique freedoms as part of the conditions of its handover from the UK. Beijing says the new law will return stability to the city, but many Hong Kongers say it effectively curtails their right to protest and freedom of speech.

China has claimed that Cong was being misinterpreted even as it reinforced what he said. "If the Canadian side really cares about stability and prosperity in Hong Kong, and really cares about the good health and safety of those 300,000 Canadian passport holders in Hong Kong and the large number of Canadian companies operating in Hong Kong… you should support those efforts to fight violent crimes," Cong said.

Chinese diplomats were once known for being reticent but no longer. Their new “wolf warrior” nickname refers to the blockbuster Chinese action movie franchise of that title, featuring PLA commandos engaged in patriotic missions around the world. Cong’s remarks are a reminder of China’s newfound wolf diplomacy which makes it clear that Canadians who live and work in Hong Kong are as vulnerable to China’s hostage diplomacy as are Canadians in Beijing, Shanghai or any other mainland city..