By Azka Zia
This blog is Part 1 of our series on Chinese interference in Canadian elections.
‘Denying the existence of a ghost will only make it grow bigger.’ - Greenlandic proverb
In 2006, two Chinese Canadians testified before the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, raising concerns about Beijing's attempts to influence the Chinese diaspora in Canada and manipulate political activities abroad. They specifically mentioned the United Front Work Department, China's agency overseeing overseas Chinese affairs, and its keen interest in the diaspora community. Almost two decades later, a leak of highly classified information confirms what the Chinese Canadians had been warning authorities about for years: China has been using the diaspora community to further its foreign interests and exert influence over Canada's political landscape. Cheuk Kwan, one of the individuals who testified in 2006, expressed frustration over the lack of action by authorities and called attention to the fact thisinformation was already widely known in the Chinese-Canadian community. He told the Toronto Star, “These are not even open secrets. It’s common knowledge.”
The issue of Chinese interference in Canada's 2019 and 2021 federal elections has garnered widespread media coverage, prompting the government to launch a national public inquiry and appoint David Johnston as an Independent Special Rapporteur to assess the extent and impact of foreign interference. While mainstream media have focused on the content of the leaks and the government's containment measures, it is crucial to consider the perspective of the Chinese-Canadian community, which has long been grappling with the challenges of living in Canada while contending with an authoritarian state thousands of miles away.
It is worth noting that the Chinese-Canadian community's concerns about foreign interference were previously minimized.As the issue gains more attention, the community may feel vindicated in their warnings. The leaks allege a range of interference tactics, including disinformation campaigns against Conservative candidates, the hiring of Chinese international students as campaign volunteers for favoured candidates, illegal donations to these candidates' campaigns, and the establishment of at least five illegal overseas police stations, including in Montreal, Brossard, and Vancouver. As various stakeholders weigh in on the matter, it remains important to prioritize the voices and experiences of those most affected by this ongoing issue.
After initially denying any foreign involvement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has launched an investigation into the allegations. The mainstream media have been closely following the matter, with a focus on the government's containment measures and the leaked information. Additionally, the TikTok issue has resurfaced, with concerns that the government is sending mixed messages by running advertisements on the platform while simultaneously banning government officials from using it. As TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, is headquartered in China and banned on government phones due to Chinese espionage concerns, the issue remains contentious.
Ethnic media outlets have also been closely monitoring the situation, with papers from a range of communities, including the Chinese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Spanish, and Arabic-speaking communities, all covering the topic. Canadian Tamil Radio, OMNI News - Filipino Edition, and the Chinese Vision Times and Talent Vision channels all reported on a poll showing that a majority of Canadians believe Chinese interference occurred. Meanwhile, OMNI 2 TV Arabic News, Punjabi TV channel Zee TV Canada, Urdu print Hamdard Daily, and several Punjabi and Hindi radio stations, including Red FM 88.9 Good Morning Toronto and WTOR 770 AM Radio South Asian Pulse Prime Time, have reported extensively on China's denial of the allegations and the Canadian Opposition’s calls for apublic inquiry. Punjabi Guardian highlighted the longstanding warnings of Canadian Sikhs about social media disinformation spread by foreign actors such as Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, which is only now being examined. The Urdu-speaking community has taken note as well, with CINA RADIO 1650 AM Morning Drive Time with Sidra and Radio 770 AM Saaz-O-Awaz reporting on Justin Trudeau’s defence of MP Han Dong and the Prime Minister's rejection of calls for a public inquiry.
Meanwhile, the local Chinese media have been extensively covering the calls for an inquiry, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's pressure on Trudeau to address the allegations, and Canadians' opinions on this. The Mandarin-language Talent Vision Canada News reported that Commissioner of Canada Elections Caroline Simard's office received 174 complaints about election meddling. Cantonese OMNI 2 TV as well as Talent Vision Canada News highlighted that Canada's domestic spy agency had warned the Liberals in 2019 that Han Dong was part of a Chinese foreign interference network, yet Trudeau still approved Dong’s candidacy. The Chinese Creaders.net web paper reported on Beijing's $1 milliondonation to the Trudeau Foundation and attempt to erect a statue of Mao Zedong at the University of Montreal. Many sources have emphasized Trudeau's reluctance to launch a public inquiry despite mounting concerns. Such acts of foreign interference raise questions about election fairness and Canadian sovereignty.
Upon initial examination of Chinese media coverage, it may seem that the Chinese-Canadian community shares similar concerns as the rest of us. However, we must take a deeper look from the perspective of a community that has been discussing this issue for decades, only to be ignored. This issue demonstrates the ability of any government to control the flow of information and determine what is considered legitimate or credible. Now that the matter is public, everyone is concerned, yet no investigations were previously conducted or any merit given to the warnings provided by the community. In fact, the Chinese-Canadian community risked persecution from China to display their loyalty to Canada. Unfortunately, Chinese Canadians may now be viewed suspiciously by other communities, accused of being loyal to China over Canada. In fact, this has already begun, with CBC reporting growing fears among Chinese Canadians of being stigmatized. We will follow the unfolding of events due to the impact on this community in the next blogs in this series.
It is worth recalling Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld's statement that she was not worried about Chinese interference claims as she is “white and of Dutch heritage.” She should know better, being the parliamentary secretary for international development and an expert on democracy and human rights. Her racially divided thinking suggests that a person of Chinese ethnicity is more likely to work with China, which perpetuates racial divisions.
On the other hand, the far-right Chinese newspaper Epoch Times, known for its strong anti-PRC (People’s Republic of China) positions, has taken a firm stance on the issue, believing that China intends to incite “fear and anger” among Conservatives in the Chinese-Canadian community. This, Epoch Times says, is achieved by disseminating false information on Chinese social media platforms and local Chinese-Canadian websites. The newspaper cited a WeChat post regarding Conservative Party candidate Kenny Chiu, who proposed the C-282 "Foreign Influence Registration Act" bill. The post argued that this bill was meant to suppress and monitor the Chinese community. The newspaper has a history of suspecting China of the worst possible crimes and citing sources that suggest Canadian politicians with anti-China stances are viewed as enemies and background checks have been conducted on them.
China's covert tactics have influenced Chinese immigrants, particularly young international students with family still in China, to volunteer in campaigns for specific candidates. Donors have provided campaign contributions to favoured candidates and received tax credits for them. Chinese people living in Canada have been pressured to return to their homeland to answer for alleged telecom fraud, with 210,000 people “persuaded” last year. This exported influence has affected the diaspora community, which has ties to their country of origin.
French philosopher Michel Foucault’s notion of power as pervasive and diffuse is evident here in the ways in which foreign interference can take many forms, from disinformation campaigns to illegal donations. These acts of interference can occur in different spheres and levels of society, from individual social media users to foreign governments. This illustrates how power can be exercised by a variety of actors in different contexts and how it is not necessarily centralized or held by one group. For the Chinese-Canadian community, this is a matter of fear and political suppression. Receivingthreatening phone calls in the middle of the night and constantly looking over their shoulders, they face difficulty enjoying the full advantages of a liberal Canadian democracy. Power operates in a subtle and insidious manner, taking many forms that often go unnoticed to unobserving eyes.
For this community, the issue of foreign interference is particularly concerning, as it represents a threat to their political agency and full participation in politics. The fear and political suppression they experience highlight how power can be used to marginalize and exclude certain groups from the political process. Their concerns about interference were ignored, and they were alienated, demonstrating how easy it is to silence dissent and suppress alternative perspectives. In this sense, the issue of foreign interference raises broader questions about the nature of power in democratic societies and the extent to which marginalized groups can effectively participate in political decision-making.
In the next blog in this series, we will follow the developments in this story, with Johnston due to decide on the need for a public inquiry by May 23, fears of stigmatization of the Chinese-Canadian community, and growing calls for an independent investigation. We will explore how MP Han Dong’s resignation and call-out of certain Canadian politicians affiliated with China are impacting the Chinese-Canadian community and ask: What impact will this have on Chinese Canadians’ political participation? And what is the plan to stop discrimination against them?
This blog is Part 1 of our series on Chinese interference in Canadian elections.
‘Denying the existence of a ghost will only make it grow bigger.’ - Greenlandic proverb
In 2006, two Chinese Canadians testified before the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, raising concerns about Beijing's attempts to influence the Chinese diaspora in Canada and manipulate political activities abroad. They specifically mentioned the United Front Work Department, China's agency overseeing overseas Chinese affairs, and its keen interest in the diaspora community. Almost two decades later, a leak of highly classified information confirms what the Chinese Canadians had been warning authorities about for years: China has been using the diaspora community to further its foreign interests and exert influence over Canada's political landscape. Cheuk Kwan, one of the individuals who testified in 2006, expressed frustration over the lack of action by authorities and called attention to the fact thisinformation was already widely known in the Chinese-Canadian community. He told the Toronto Star, “These are not even open secrets. It’s common knowledge.”
The issue of Chinese interference in Canada's 2019 and 2021 federal elections has garnered widespread media coverage, prompting the government to launch a national public inquiry and appoint David Johnston as an Independent Special Rapporteur to assess the extent and impact of foreign interference. While mainstream media have focused on the content of the leaks and the government's containment measures, it is crucial to consider the perspective of the Chinese-Canadian community, which has long been grappling with the challenges of living in Canada while contending with an authoritarian state thousands of miles away.
It is worth noting that the Chinese-Canadian community's concerns about foreign interference were previously minimized.As the issue gains more attention, the community may feel vindicated in their warnings. The leaks allege a range of interference tactics, including disinformation campaigns against Conservative candidates, the hiring of Chinese international students as campaign volunteers for favoured candidates, illegal donations to these candidates' campaigns, and the establishment of at least five illegal overseas police stations, including in Montreal, Brossard, and Vancouver. As various stakeholders weigh in on the matter, it remains important to prioritize the voices and experiences of those most affected by this ongoing issue.
After initially denying any foreign involvement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has launched an investigation into the allegations. The mainstream media have been closely following the matter, with a focus on the government's containment measures and the leaked information. Additionally, the TikTok issue has resurfaced, with concerns that the government is sending mixed messages by running advertisements on the platform while simultaneously banning government officials from using it. As TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, is headquartered in China and banned on government phones due to Chinese espionage concerns, the issue remains contentious.
Ethnic media outlets have also been closely monitoring the situation, with papers from a range of communities, including the Chinese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Spanish, and Arabic-speaking communities, all covering the topic. Canadian Tamil Radio, OMNI News - Filipino Edition, and the Chinese Vision Times and Talent Vision channels all reported on a poll showing that a majority of Canadians believe Chinese interference occurred. Meanwhile, OMNI 2 TV Arabic News, Punjabi TV channel Zee TV Canada, Urdu print Hamdard Daily, and several Punjabi and Hindi radio stations, including Red FM 88.9 Good Morning Toronto and WTOR 770 AM Radio South Asian Pulse Prime Time, have reported extensively on China's denial of the allegations and the Canadian Opposition’s calls for apublic inquiry. Punjabi Guardian highlighted the longstanding warnings of Canadian Sikhs about social media disinformation spread by foreign actors such as Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, which is only now being examined. The Urdu-speaking community has taken note as well, with CINA RADIO 1650 AM Morning Drive Time with Sidra and Radio 770 AM Saaz-O-Awaz reporting on Justin Trudeau’s defence of MP Han Dong and the Prime Minister's rejection of calls for a public inquiry.
Meanwhile, the local Chinese media have been extensively covering the calls for an inquiry, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's pressure on Trudeau to address the allegations, and Canadians' opinions on this. The Mandarin-language Talent Vision Canada News reported that Commissioner of Canada Elections Caroline Simard's office received 174 complaints about election meddling. Cantonese OMNI 2 TV as well as Talent Vision Canada News highlighted that Canada's domestic spy agency had warned the Liberals in 2019 that Han Dong was part of a Chinese foreign interference network, yet Trudeau still approved Dong’s candidacy. The Chinese Creaders.net web paper reported on Beijing's $1 milliondonation to the Trudeau Foundation and attempt to erect a statue of Mao Zedong at the University of Montreal. Many sources have emphasized Trudeau's reluctance to launch a public inquiry despite mounting concerns. Such acts of foreign interference raise questions about election fairness and Canadian sovereignty.
Upon initial examination of Chinese media coverage, it may seem that the Chinese-Canadian community shares similar concerns as the rest of us. However, we must take a deeper look from the perspective of a community that has been discussing this issue for decades, only to be ignored. This issue demonstrates the ability of any government to control the flow of information and determine what is considered legitimate or credible. Now that the matter is public, everyone is concerned, yet no investigations were previously conducted or any merit given to the warnings provided by the community. In fact, the Chinese-Canadian community risked persecution from China to display their loyalty to Canada. Unfortunately, Chinese Canadians may now be viewed suspiciously by other communities, accused of being loyal to China over Canada. In fact, this has already begun, with CBC reporting growing fears among Chinese Canadians of being stigmatized. We will follow the unfolding of events due to the impact on this community in the next blogs in this series.
It is worth recalling Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld's statement that she was not worried about Chinese interference claims as she is “white and of Dutch heritage.” She should know better, being the parliamentary secretary for international development and an expert on democracy and human rights. Her racially divided thinking suggests that a person of Chinese ethnicity is more likely to work with China, which perpetuates racial divisions.
On the other hand, the far-right Chinese newspaper Epoch Times, known for its strong anti-PRC (People’s Republic of China) positions, has taken a firm stance on the issue, believing that China intends to incite “fear and anger” among Conservatives in the Chinese-Canadian community. This, Epoch Times says, is achieved by disseminating false information on Chinese social media platforms and local Chinese-Canadian websites. The newspaper cited a WeChat post regarding Conservative Party candidate Kenny Chiu, who proposed the C-282 "Foreign Influence Registration Act" bill. The post argued that this bill was meant to suppress and monitor the Chinese community. The newspaper has a history of suspecting China of the worst possible crimes and citing sources that suggest Canadian politicians with anti-China stances are viewed as enemies and background checks have been conducted on them.
China's covert tactics have influenced Chinese immigrants, particularly young international students with family still in China, to volunteer in campaigns for specific candidates. Donors have provided campaign contributions to favoured candidates and received tax credits for them. Chinese people living in Canada have been pressured to return to their homeland to answer for alleged telecom fraud, with 210,000 people “persuaded” last year. This exported influence has affected the diaspora community, which has ties to their country of origin.
French philosopher Michel Foucault’s notion of power as pervasive and diffuse is evident here in the ways in which foreign interference can take many forms, from disinformation campaigns to illegal donations. These acts of interference can occur in different spheres and levels of society, from individual social media users to foreign governments. This illustrates how power can be exercised by a variety of actors in different contexts and how it is not necessarily centralized or held by one group. For the Chinese-Canadian community, this is a matter of fear and political suppression. Receivingthreatening phone calls in the middle of the night and constantly looking over their shoulders, they face difficulty enjoying the full advantages of a liberal Canadian democracy. Power operates in a subtle and insidious manner, taking many forms that often go unnoticed to unobserving eyes.
For this community, the issue of foreign interference is particularly concerning, as it represents a threat to their political agency and full participation in politics. The fear and political suppression they experience highlight how power can be used to marginalize and exclude certain groups from the political process. Their concerns about interference were ignored, and they were alienated, demonstrating how easy it is to silence dissent and suppress alternative perspectives. In this sense, the issue of foreign interference raises broader questions about the nature of power in democratic societies and the extent to which marginalized groups can effectively participate in political decision-making.
In the next blog in this series, we will follow the developments in this story, with Johnston due to decide on the need for a public inquiry by May 23, fears of stigmatization of the Chinese-Canadian community, and growing calls for an independent investigation. We will explore how MP Han Dong’s resignation and call-out of certain Canadian politicians affiliated with China are impacting the Chinese-Canadian community and ask: What impact will this have on Chinese Canadians’ political participation? And what is the plan to stop discrimination against them?