CALGARY — A television station tied to a Chinese arts performing group wants Ottawa to consider expelling China's Calgary-based consul general over his dealings with Alberta tourism groups.

The independent New Tang Dynasty Television says the consulate overstepped its authority and the federal government needs to review what happened.

New Tang believes the consulate pressured tourism groups to withdraw their planned support of the New-York-based Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular. The troupe has shows scheduled in both Edmonton and Calgary.

"We believe that by doing that the Chinese consul general has overstepped his diplomatic duties as defined by the Vienna Convention on consular affairs," New Tang spokeswoman Caylan Ford said Thursday.

New Tang is a non-profit Chinese language station affiliated with the arts group.

"We're asking the Canadian government to reconsider and review his status in Canada and consider his expulsion as he has overstepped his boundaries as a diplomat in this country."

Most of the troupe's dance and vocal performances involve traditional Chinese themes, but some touch on human rights, religious freedom and the persecution of the Falun Gong.

A Travel Alberta official told the troupe the government agency had to rescind its plan to help facilitate a visit to the province after it was contacted by the Chinese consulate in Calgary. As well, Tourism Calgary withdrew its support of an opening reception set for Wednesday and cancelled a ceremony where the performers were to be given white cowboy hats and made honorary citizens of the city.

"The real blame here lies with the Chinese regime which is extending its long arm into Canada," said Ford. "It's trying to interfere with free artistic discourse in this country and interfering in our internal affairs in Canada."

Ford said the group's shows at the Alberta Jubilee Auditoriums in Calgary and Edmonton next week and into early May are still on.

Ford said the pressure from the Chinese consulate in Calgary doesn't extend just to tourism groups.

"Recently on the Calgary Chinese website there was a notice that people who attend the show will have trouble getting back to China," she said.

"This is in the Chinese community that someone might come and take pictures of them ... if they attend, that they may have trouble getting visas to go visit their families in China," she said. "This again is something that happens quite often."

The posting on the website is titled "You Cannot Go Back to China After You Watch Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular Shows."

A translation provided by New Tang of part of the website says: "Many video cameras are installed in every show. Automatic identification technology will be used to record the audiences who watch the show.

"When you enter China, your Chinese passport will be withheld."

It goes on to say that New Tang television had intended to exchange advertising broadcasts worldwide and into China in exchange for sponsorship support. Ford understands Travel Alberta's concerns.

But she said the explanation "doesn't hold for Tourism Calgary."

"The white-hatting ceremony? They did it last year for two members of this group," Ford noted. "They did it last year, they can do it this year. There's no reason they had to renege on that."

For the second straight day, Tourism Calgary officials declined to comment.

The agency has been presenting white cowboy hats to honour dignitaries since 1948. Some of the celebrities and dignitaries who have accepted them over the years include the G8 world summit leaders, former U.S. president Bill Clinton, television talk show host Oprah Winfrey and Mickey Mouse.

In 1997, Jiang Zemin, then president of China, was formally "white-hatted" on a state visit to Calgary. One year later, prominent Chinese activist Wei Jingsheng visited the city, but no white hat was given to him.

The pro-democracy leader accused city officials of ignoring China's human rights abuses.