Liberal Candidate Stands Down after Controversy

Chiang has stepped down running for the Liberals

The Canadian federal election has put Hong Kong on the spotlight after Liberal candidate Paul Chiang made controversial comments suggesting people turn in Conservative candidate Joe Tay because the Hong Kong government has a HK$1 million (US$128,500) bounty on his head.

Chiang made the suggestion during a Chinese-language press conference, saying: "To everyone here, you can claim the one-million-dollar bounty if you bring him to Toronto's Chinese consulate," he said, according to the Toronto Association for Democracy in China (TADC).

The activist group later released the translated comments to English media which quickly led to the embattled Chiang to apologise to Tay, who did not accept it, and then resulted in Chiang stepping down as a candidate despite Liberal leader Mark Carney's support for him.

HK government has HK$1M bounty on Tay

"As the prime minister and Team Canada work to stand up to President [Donald] Trump and protect our economy, I do not want there to be distractions in this critical moment," Chiang wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter just before 9pm Pacific Standard Time.

"That's why I'm standing aside as our 2025 candidate in our community of Markham-Unionville."

It's quite bizarre for Chiang to suggest turning in Tay because the Liberals have denounced the bounties.

At the time, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said. in a statement in December: "This attempt by Hong Kong authorities to conduct transnational repression abroad, including by issuing threats, intimidation or coercion against Canadians or those in Canada, will not be tolerated." 

As a result, Cheuk Kwan, co-chair of the TADC called Chiang's comments "shocking."

"Mr Chiang openly encouraged people to assist in China interference and transnational repression," Kwan said in a statement. "Rather than protecting Canadians, he betrayed them and jeopardised their safety."

Kwan raised the alarm of Chiang to English media

Chiang regrets what he said, calling it "deplorable", but this just shows how desperate he was to play up to the local Chinese media outlets, all of them practically pro-China. It's outrageous of him to even suggest something like this, even though he is a former police officer. 

Needless to say it is extremely disappointing to have this coming from a Liberal candidate. Every vote counts and now there is no Liberal running in a big Chinese riding... did no one warn Chiang about the consequences of what he said?

In the meantime Tay, who is a former TVB actor, was originally running in Chiang's riding but is now hoping to represent Don Valley North. 

Tay probably caught the Hong Kong government's attention for his YouTube channel that promotes democracy and free speech. He is also the co-founder of Canada-based NGO HongKonger Station.

Conservative leader Pierre Polieve has totally taken advantage of the fiasco, and rightly added Tay is "afraid for his life."

Tay has also said online that he has not accepted Chiang's apology and has been in contact with the RCMP about personal protection.

In any event this raises the attention of Hong Kong's transnational repression of activists abroad yet again, and with Trump threatening to take over Canada to be the 51st state, Canadians need to be aware of how precious our democracy and rights are in these dangerous times. 

Trump and Trudeau Talked, but Stalemate Continues

Trudeau and Trump had a phone conversation today

Canada got a slight reprieve today with cars getting another one-month extension from tariffs, but for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, it was not enough.

He spoke to US President Donald Trump today for 50 minutes with Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. 

Then separately automakers appealed to Trump to back down on tariffs and he unilaterally granted a one-month exemption on Canadian-made cars.

Joly describes situation as a "psychodrama"

A one-month extension doesn't do much -- it just delays the inevitable, leaving car companies in limbo.

Yesterday Lutnick had suggested that perhaps not all Canadian goods would have 25 percent tariffs, but he could not say for sure, because it's really Trump who calls the shots.

While the carmakers got temporary reprieve, Canada isn't backing down from its tariffs on American goods, saying all US tariffs must be eliminated first.

At a speech to a business audience in Toronto, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly described Trump as being the only meaningful "decision-maker" in the US federal government right now.

"He's the only one. And we need to be able to address that reality," Joly said.

She described the current situation as a "psychodrama" that could drag on for months.

Fox News giving a factual explainer on tariffs

Meanwhile for once Fox News has presented an explainer on how tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico will hurt American consumers. The host explained how tariffs don't hit Mexico or Canada -- it hits the US companies and people who have bought the imported goods. 

Another Fox News video clip showed a reporter at a car dealership pointing to a truck and how it cost US$80,000, but now with the tariffs it costs US$100,000.

Hope that makes Americans realise that Trump is not making America great, it's making it poorer. 

But perhaps American citizens are more concerned about losing their jobs and benefits than how much imported goods cost, with Elon Musk and his teenage Doge team dismantling all kinds of government institutions...

Foreign Governments Denounce HK$1M Bounties on Activists

Foreign governments spoke out about the bounties on activists

Reaction to the Hong Kong government putting a HK$1 million bounty on six activists was swift despite it being Christmas Eve and Christmas, depending on the time zone.

United States Consul General Gregory May said Washington denounced the Hong Kong authorities' latest move.

"We call on the Hong Kong government to stop using its national security laws to silence dissent," he said in a social media post.

The European Union spokesman for foreign affairs and security policy Anouar El Anouni posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, condemning "the new round of extraterritorial arrest warrants."

"The EU calls on China to respect its international commitments and the one country, two systems principle. The EU urges the Hong Kong authorities to stop the crackdown on pro-democracy forces and to uphold fundamental freedoms as enshrined in Hong Kong's Basic Law," he said.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy also criticised the move as well, adding the UK government was committed to supporting Hongkongers who had relocated to the country.

"We will not tolerate any attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm their critics overseas, especially in the UK," he said.

"We call on Beijing to repeal the national security law, including its extraterritorial reach. And we call on Hong Kong authorities to end their targeting of individuals in the UK and elsewhere who stand up for freedom and democracy."

Meanwhile Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly criticised the conducting of "transnational repression abroad" and vowed such "threats, intimidation and coercion" against Canadians and those in the country would not be tolerated.

In response, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Canada slammed the "groundless accusations and wilful smear" against the Hong Kong authorities...

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Visits Beijing

Joly met with Wang in Beijing today, first visit in seven years

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly made a surprise visit to Beijing, the first in seven years following the detainment of the two Michaels, and an investigation into China's alleged interference in Canada's elections, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Joly met with her counterpart Wang Yi with the hopes of stabilising bilateral relations between the two countries. 

"The two ministers took note of recent positive developments in relations, including the resumption of consular consultations, and the recent exchanges at senior levels," says a readout (summary) of the meeting released by Global Affairs Canada.

The discussions were described as "pragmatic"

"Minister Joly's visit reaffirms the Minister's commitment to pragmatic engagement with China and the development of sound and stable bilateral relations."

The statement goes on to say that China "indicated a willingness to explore opportunities to strengthen engagement" on such issues as climate and the environment, curbing the fentanyl crisis and working to improve trade relations.

China's readout echoed Canada's description of the talks, saying: "As two major countries with important influence in the Asia-Pacific region, both countries share extensive common interests and complementary advantages."

During the meeting with Wang, Joly did bring up the thorny issue of reports of Chinese interference in Canadian politics, such as the elections in 2019 and 2021, China accused of setting up police stations in Vancouver and Toronto, and the targeting of Conservative MP Michael Chong.

However China's statement said: "Issues related to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong are all China's internal affairs and no external interference is allowed."

Detainment of two Michaels put relations on ice

Nevertheless, China experts say this is a good first step. Former China diplomat Guy St Jacques says the Chinese economy is in the doldrums and wants to convince foreign companies to invest in China. "They know that after the arrest of Meng Wanzhou and the two Michaels, that Canadian executives are still reluctant to travel to China," he said in an interview with CBC.

He added that despite political relations not doing well, last year Canada established a new record in terms of exports to China of C$31 billion, in terms of minerals and agri-food products. 

St Jacques thinks Wang will seek Joly's opinion about what is happening in the US presidential election and perhaps she will invite him to come to Canada at an appropriate time.

Well take this visit as a positive step, and perhaps China conferring approved destination status on Canada in the near future?

Are Sino-Canadian Relations Thawing?

Joly and Wang met in Munich

China seems to be extending Canada an olive branch, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Wang said the two countries were "not rivals, let alone enemies", an interesting development in the tense relationship between China and Canada particularly since the Meng Wanzhou incident that involved the incarceration of the two Michaels, Kovrig and Spavor.

Discussions between Joly (left) and Wang

In addition, Canada accuses China of meddling in its elections in 2019 and 2021, and Ottawa expelled Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei last May over allegations of intimidating Conservative MP Michael Chong. 

That then led Beijing to expel Jennifer Lynn Lalonde, a consul of the Consulate General of Canada in Shanghai.

Wang told Joly the "current difficult situation... is not what China wants to see", according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout released on Sunday.

"The two sides are not rivals, let alone enemies, and should become cooperative partners," he said.

Wang urged Canada to "stop hyping the 'China threat theory' and stop spreading false information about so-called China interference in domestic affairs".

Perhaps he's referring to the public inquiry into foreign interference by countries like China, India and Russia that started in September last year. In interim report is expected at the end of February, and a final report at the end of the year. 

While it's a positive sign to see China willing to restart relations with Canada again, it can't have its cake and eat it too.

Canada Expels Chinese Diplomat

Zhao has been declared persona non grata by Canada

The Canadian government finally pulled the trigger and declared Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei persona non grata. He must leave in five days for targeting opposition MP Michael Chong and his family in Hong Kong for intimidation. 

In retaliation, the Chinese government has expelled Canadian diplomat Jennifer Lynn Lalonde in Shanghai. She has until May 13 to leave China.

Chong says expulsion should be done earlier

This comes a week after the Globe and Mail published a report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service revealing Zhao had taken efforts to target Chong and his relatives after he sponsored a motion to condemn China's treatment of Uyghurs.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said: "I have been clear: we will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs. Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home."

Chong called the move a victory, but not just for himself.

"It's a victory for all Canadians who have been a victim of foreign interference for the past five or 10 years, who've been subject to threats from authoritarian regimes like Iran, like the government in Beijing."

Joly will not tolerate foreign interference

But he said it has taken too long for the government to finally take action.

Former ambassadors to China like Guy Saint-Jacques, David Mulroney and Gordon Houlden have been sounding the alarm for at least a year that Canada needs to be more pro-active in dealing with Beijing's aggressive moves.

In a TV interview today, Saint-Jacques wasn't surprised if China would retaliate and expel a Canadian diplomat (which was subsequently done), but that economically Canada may not be hit too hard, as China's economy is not doing well and is trying very hard to court foreign countries to come back and do business.

Nevertheless this latest development further sinks Sino-Canadian relations further; a motion was passed to set up a foreign agent registry despite calls by Senator Yuen Pau Woo that it is racist. On the contrary, this registry applies to all countries, not just China. 

An alleged Chinese police station in Richmond

There may also be more momentum to demand China shut down its police stations in Canada, which would be a relief to a lot of people, not just those in the Chinese diaspora.

Claims of Chinese Intimidation of MPs

Chong claims he did not know he and his family were targets

There was a very strong exchange of words between Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Conservative Member of Parliament Michael Chong today over the government continuing to allow a Chinese diplomat to continue to operate in the country when he allegedly targeted Chong and his family overseas.

The diplomat in question is Zhao Wei, who was accused of "intimidation operations" in 2021 against Chong and his family in Hong Kong, which was first reported by the Globe and Mail on Monday.

Joly concerned about fallout from China

When pressed to summon the Chinese ambassador about this alleged intimidation campaign, Joly said considerations had to be made on how this would impact Sino-Canadian relations with regards to trade and politics.

The newspaper reported Zhao was looking into Chong's relatives who live in China, for possible sanctions by China. The report cites a leaked Canadian intelligence document from July 2021.

Chong said he was received the briefing in 2021 but claimed he had no idea he and his family were targets -- until this week.

The Toronto MP Chong has taken a strong stance against the Chinese government, including sponsoring a motion in parliament declaring that Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities amounts to genocide.

Cong was summoned by Joly this morning

However, while Joly did summon Chinese ambassador Cong Peiwu, she seemed very cautious, worried about the possible political and economic consequences following the experience with the two Michaels, Spavor and Kovrig who were detained for nearly three years.

"It's about you, but it's about also the interests of the country," Joly said to Chong.

"So as we are assessing the interests -- and I know that we are under pressure to go fast -- we need to make sure as well that we protect our democracy and this is why we will take action in light of the facts that are being presented regarding your case."

But Chong pushed for action to immediately expel Zhao.

"I can't think of an interest more important to the Canadian state than the protection and the safety and the security of its own citizens," he said.

The two Michaels were detained for 3 yrs

"I think that that is the only course of action here, because if we do not take that course of action, Minister, we are basically putting up a giant billboard for all authoritarian states around the world that says we are open for foreign interference."

In a statement in Chinese, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to the claims it targeted Chong's family, saying the reports were false and hyped up by some Canadian politicians and the media.

"China has never interfered in Canada's internal affairs, nor does it have any interest in doing so, let alone threatening Canadian MPs," the statement said. It added sanctions it had applied directly to Chong in 2021 were "entirely self-inflected."

This incident is keeping the Liberals in the hot seat despite its best efforts to try to deflect it away; China is souring on Canadians and this latest development adds a lot more heat.