Embassy of China, Ottawa

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Canada (Chinese: 中华人民共和国驻加拿大大使馆; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Jiānádà dàshìguān, French: Ambassade de la République populaire de Chine au Canada) is the embassy of China in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. China purchased the building at St. Patrick Street in 1972,[1] soon after diplomatic relations were established between Canada and the PRC. The structure had been built by the Sisters of Good Shepherd who had used it as a convent for several decades. The Chinese government paid some $1.6 million for it. In the mid-1980s a major expansion of the structure was completed. The embassy is located in the Lower Town neighbourhood with the rear of the embassy looking out on the Rideau River.

Embassy of China in Ottawa
Location	Lower Town
Address	515 St. Patrick Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5H3
Coordinates	45.436377°N 75.684750°W / 45.436377; -75.684750
Ambassador	Cong Peiwu

The embassy's consular district covers the Ottawa region, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nunavut.[2]

The early years of the embassy were somewhat strained. Few diplomats, and even the first ambassador did not speak English. Canada insisted that the staff members be subjected to fairly rigid travel rules for security reasons. During this period there was also a steady stream of defections among the diplomatic staff.

In recent years the embassy has become one of Ottawa's largest and busiest. It is still the subject of frequent protests, and those protesting the treatment of Falun Gong are sporadically stationed across the street from the embassy.

Lu Shaye was the most recent ambassador and is leaving sometime in June 2019 to go to the Chinese embassy in Paris. In November 2019, Cong Peiwu was announced as the new ambassador.[3]

In 2023, the Canadian government expelled a Chinese diplomat after reportedly intimidating a Canadian lawmaker.[4] Zhao Wei was declared a persona non grata in Canada after attempting to apply pressure to Conservative MP Michael Chong due to Chong's criticism of China's treatment of the Uyghur Muslim population.[5] Interestingly, following this incident, China also expelled Canada's consul in Shanghai in retaliation for Ottawa sending home a Chinese diplomat accused of trying to intimidate a Canadian MP.[6]