Attracted to power, regardless of political affiliation, the CCP is “ethno-agnostic” and interested in any target that can be utilized as a ‘useful idiot’.

By Omid Ghoreishi | The Epoch Times

Summary

As British Columbians prepare for the upcoming provincial election, security experts and Chinese diaspora groups are warning of potential interference by China, citing previous attempts to influence federal and municipal elections in the province.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been known to collaborate with triads and tycoons in its activities, and there have been extensive reports of its interference at all levels of politics in British Columbia. The only MPs whose targeting by the CCP in the last two federal elections has been documented by the Foreign Interference Commission—with the exception of former Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole—are B.C. MPs.

The CCP’s interference can take various forms, including favoring certain parties, supporting specific candidates, and targeting those who are critical of China. Intelligence reports have shown international students being bused in to support a candidate in a Liberal nomination contest, and political staffers being targeted by the CCP to influence politicians. The CCP has also been known to target high-profile candidates and arrange for its cronies to become volunteers and political staffers.

Former MP Kenny Chiu says that the CCP targets those in power, regardless of party affiliation, and is ethno-agnostic, approaching anyone who could be a “useful idiot.” 

Brian Lee Crowley, founder of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, expressed concern that foreign powers are targeting Canada to disrupt its democracy and erode faith in its institutions, particularly in British Columbia. He emphasized the need for Canadians to be vigilant about the connections between their politicians and potential instruments of foreign governments.

Vancouver’s former consul-general, Tong Xiaoling, describes the CCP’s interference activities as extensive in its efforts over decades to subvert diaspora communities using the United Front Work Department, and that recent revelations are just the tip of the iceberg. 

To read this report in full, see the publisher’s website here.

Contributors to this report include: Noé Chartier, Andrew Chen, and The Canadian Press.