Chinese ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu has ordered Ottawa to stay out of internal matters after Justin Trudeau suspending its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and froze military exports to China. The move comes after Beijing imposed a new national security law on the former British colony, which gave the Chinese communist party control over the legal system.
The legislation also bans anti-Government protests and effectively puts an end to the “one country, two systems agreement”.
Following the intervention from Mr Trudeau, on Tuesday Ambassador Cong Peiwu said Canada must stop “interfering in China’s internal affairs”.
The warning comes after the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the actions of the Canadian Government just 24 hours before.
On Monday, the foreign ministry said Beijing “reserved the right to further react” and warned Canada would “bear the consequences”.
Ambassador Cong Peiwu was asked to clarify what the foreign ministry meant and indicated China would stop at nothing to prevent its rule over Hong Kong.
In an interview published in the Toronto Star, he said: “I’d like to suggest you just wait and see.”
He added: “As I have told you, we are resolute in safeguarding our national security and sovereignty.
“We will not just sit idly by.”
Hong Kong officials also took aim at the Canadian Government and said they were “very disappointed” after bilateral ties were cut.
The new security law imposed on Hong Kong punishes crimes related to secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Authorities will have enhanced powers to search premises and electronic devices, freezing or confiscating assets and demanding people and groups provide information.
Mainland China’s police are also allowed to operate and enforce law in the city.
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Luo Huining, head of China’s Liaison Office in the city, Beijing’s top representative office, said the office was “the gatekeeper of national security” and people who loved China and Hong Kong welcomed it.
Luo Huining said: “Those with ulterior motives and who are anti-China and seek to destabilise Hong Kong have not only stigmatised the office, but also smeared the legal system and rule of law in the Chinese mainland in an attempt to stir up unnecessary worries and fears among Hong Kong residents.”