China says expulsion of Canadian diplomat was ‘just and necessary’ amid spat

The expulsion of a Canadian diplomat was “just and necessary,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday as Beijing retaliated against Canada’s decision to declare a Toronto-based consular official “persona non grata.” China told Canada’s Consulate General in Shanghai, (Zhen Yihui), to leave, escalating already tense relations amid concerns about Chinese influence in Canada.