Dissidents have been warning for years that Beijing bullies beyond its borders. Now an instance of intimidation in Canada by a Chinese official has been obtained on audio.

By Robert Fife | Published by The Globe & Mail

Summary

An audio recording obtained by The Globe and Mail reveals a man from Hong Kong, seeking refuge in Canada, was threatened by Hong Kong national-security police after refusing to spy on pro-democracy activists in Vancouver for China.

The revelations from the audio recording provided by former Hong Kong radio commentator Edmund Wan shed light on the coercive tactics employed by Hong Kong national-security police against individuals in Canada who refuse to assist in spying on pro-democracy activists. Wan’s friend, who was pressured to provide information on individuals in Canada, faced threats and intimidation when he reneged on the deal made with Hong Kong authorities.

The case exemplifies a pattern of transnational repression where individuals living abroad, particularly those critical of the Chinese government, face intimidation, harassment, and coercion to silence dissent or gather information on pro-democracy movements. The role of Hong Kong police, acting under the influence of China’s Ministry of State Security, in conducting such operations abroad underscores the lengths to which the Chinese Communist regime will go to stifle opposition and control narratives beyond its borders.

The use of intimidation and threats against dissidents living outside of China is not a new phenomenon. Pro-democracy supporters, Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Falun Gong practitioners have long faced harassment and pressure from Chinese state-security officials in various countries. This recent incident underscores the risks faced by individuals who speak out against the Chinese government and its policies, even when they are living in democratic countries like Canada.

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