Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, has abruptly left his post and returned to China, sparking speculation and intrigue in diplomatic circles. The unexpected departure of Cong, who has been serving as the ambassador since 2019, comes at a time of strained relations between Ottawa and Beijing.
The news of Cong’s exit emerged during a visit by Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison to China, where he held talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on various bilateral issues. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa has not provided any details on the reasons behind Cong’s sudden departure.
According to reports, Cong’s posting officially ended on April 9, leaving many in the diplomatic community surprised by the abruptness of his exit. The strained relations between Canada and China date back to 2018 when Canadian authorities detained Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei Technologies, on a U.S. warrant. In retaliation, China detained two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, for over 1,000 days.
The release of the two Canadians in 2021 coincided with the dropping of the extradition request for Meng by the U.S. Justice Department. However, tensions between Beijing and Ottawa have persisted, with disagreements over issues such as China’s national security law in Hong Kong and alleged interference in Canadian elections.
Cong’s departure has raised questions about the future of China-Canada relations and the potential for a new chapter in diplomatic engagement between the two countries. As the situation continues to unfold, observers are closely watching for any developments that may shed light on the reasons behind Cong’s sudden exit and its implications for bilateral ties.