Recalling an ambassador in common diplomatic sense is an act of temporarily "downgrade" the diplomatic relationship which is to make a political statement (point 4). All other points are normal acts not being regarded to have any special meaning.well what's happened was
"Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang summoned Ambassador Terry Branstad to lodge “stern representations”, the foreign ministry said."
which is unrelated to a hypothetical situation you mentioned, but since you did ...
from what I figured, there're multiple reasons for "recalling an ambassador" for example:
- s/he would be sent to be an ambassador elsewhere, or was simply fired LOL
- given him/her some specific instructions
- (the reason you probably meant) when s/he "is not expected to return" (the embassy is going to be closed etc.)
- just to make a political statement
That "downgrade" is not official true downgrade, but rather symbolic, therefor the "statement of displeasure".
Although in this case, it won't happen, but in diplomatic terms, Iron Man is right that "recalling ambassador" is a serious act.
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