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China’s embassy could not be reached for comment Wednesday. In an earlier statement, it denied playing any role, while accusing critics of trying to stir up anti-China sentiment.

At the same time, though, it said Beijing opposes anyone who “provides support and convenience of any kind to the Xinjiang separatists forces and Tibet-independent activities.”

Added the embassy: “We strongly support the just and patriotic actions of Chinese students.”

Outside experts endorsed the call for the federal government to get involved, saying Ottawa has for too long paid little heed to China’s covert soft-power campaign.

“It does seem to be quite problematic if the Chinese embassy feels it can direct the activities of Chinese students in Canada in ways not consistent with the norms of academic freedoms,” said Charles Burton, a Brock University professor and former Canadian diplomat in Beijing.

If they are using those students to monitor the activities of others at universities, that would be a violation of their diplomatic status and possible grounds for being declared persona non grata — which would have them expelled from Canada, he said.

Given past history, it is hard to believe the embassy’s assertion that it was not involved in the Toronto and McMaster affairs, says author Jonathan Manthorpe, whose just-published book “Claws of the Panda” deals with Beijing’s influence campaign here.

“This appears to be another case where Ottawa should step forward and make clear it will not allow (Chinese Communist Party) agents to mastermind acts of intimidation in Canada,” he said.

Cheuk Kwan, spokesman for the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, said he is convinced the Chinese consulate was involved in the two university conflicts.

But he said such campus free-speech questions are a relatively minor issue, and that the federal government should focus more on addressing China’s influence on politicians in Canada.