Q: Recently, a Canadian senior official said that the incident related to Mr. Zhao Wei shows how serious the foreign interference Canada faces is and Canada will take all necessary measures to protect its democracy, values and principles. What's your comments on this?
A: China has repeatedly made clear its stern position on Canada's hype-up on the so-called ''China interference''. Some Canadian media and politicians have cited the so-called Canadian Security Intelligence Service's ''classified documents'' to fabricate lies to smear the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in Canada. None of the accusations are based on facts. They are trumped up with hidden agenda. Canada's ill-founded decision to declare our diplomat ''persona non grata'' is an egregious move that violates the basic norms governing international relations, and a deliberate blow to Canada's relations with China. In reaction to Canada's unscrupulous provocation, China has taken justified and necessary countermeasures to protect China's lawful rights and interests.
China has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and China has the best record on that. It's quite clear to the global community which countries wantonly interfere in other countries' internal affairs, overthrow their governments, launch military invasion and advance subversion and infiltration. Canada's allegation of ''China interference'' is typically like a thief crying ''stop thief''.
I would like to reiterate that China does not provoke trouble, but we will not flinch from provocations by others. China's national interests and dignity must not be harmed, and the legitimate rights and interests of China's diplomatic and consular personnel must not be violated. We urge the Canadian side to step back from the brink and refrain from moving further down the wrong path. If Canada decides to continue its wanton act in disregard of China's dissuasion, China will react firmly and all consequences arising therefrom must be borne by Canada.