Evidence of meeting #2 for Canada-China Relations in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was gui.
A recording is available from Parliament.
As an Individual
The simple answer is that I cannot go back to Hong Kong and I'm living a life of exile. From now on my life is committed to international advocacy work for the democratic movement of Hong Kong.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Mr. Dubourg.
We will now continue with Mr. Bergeron for two and a half minutes.
Bloc
Stéphane Bergeron Bloc Montarville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to come back to the question that was asked by my colleague Mr. Dubourg, because it covers one of the aspects of the question that I asked earlier and which was not completely answered.
I know that the risks of kidnapping or extraterritorial arrest are greater in states closer to the Chinese communist regime. Would you say that there is still a risk of kidnapping in countries that are less close to the Chinese communist regime, such as Canada or the United Kingdom, or is it more likely that Chinese dissidents will simply be harassed?
As an Individual
Thank you so much for the questions.
I always say that I'm completely safe. We understand how far-reaching the influence of the Chinese Communist Party could be, so I try to—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Mr. Law, I'm sorry to interrupt again, but please hold your microphone.
Thank you.
As an Individual
I'm sorry about that.
I then also say that I'm completely safe, and we all understand how extensive China's reach can be. For the past couple of months since I left Hong Kong, I have been living a discrete life and trying to keep a low profile, so I didn't really appear at events or do any public speaking.
Bloc
As an Individual
I'll be very brief.
What happened to my father—being abducted from Thailand—was unprecedented then. Based on that, I think it's reasonable to assume, given China's expansion of its repression of human rights, that abductions may happen in the future in countries like Canada or other western democracies, yes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Thank you very much, Monsieur Bergeron.
Now we have Mr. Harris for two and a half minutes.
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Gui, you just referred to a concern about potential abductions in Canada. When you talked about Thailand, you indicated that there was a complicity or potential complicity by the Thai government and a lack of protection from Sweden.
Given the concerns that have been raised by Canadians—and we will hear from some of them soon at our committee—about whether they ought to be afraid, what should the Government of Canada do to protect its citizens in potential situations like that? Do you have any suggestions?
I realize that you're not an expert in this field, but it makes me feel that there's a vulnerability there and that the government maybe should be doing something that it's not doing.
As an Individual
Thank you.
Yes, I am no expert in this field, but some thoughts do come to mind. The first one is this: Make sure that Canada's consulates and its embassy in China expand their capabilities to monitor human rights abuses, and also make sure that citizens can come to consulates or the embassy with their safety concerns.
I also think that....
Oh, no. I completely lost my train of thought. Would you mind repeating the question, please?
NDP
Jack Harris NDP St. John's East, NL
Yes, that's something that's important within Hong Kong or within China. I guess I'm asking the reverse of that.
You say that Thailand failed your father and Sweden failed your father. How can Canada make sure that people in its own country—citizens of Canada or Chinese citizens within Canada...? What should we make sure that we are doing to ensure that this doesn't happen on our soil?
As an Individual
Thank you for the reminder. I'm sorry about that.
I think something that Canada can do—and which I'm hoping that more governments will also do—is issue a travel warning or travel advisory for travel to China.
I also realize that your question concerns abductions in Canada. I think that taking a stronger stance, in general, against China in public, and doing so through imposing targeted sanctions similar to the Magnitsky-style sanctions that we've seen other countries talk about adopting, could send the message to China that this is something that Canada will not accept.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Geoff Regan
Thank you, Ms. Gui.
Thank you, Mr. Harris.
Colleagues, we are now over our time. I want to thank our witnesses very much.
I know that we all appreciate your attendance today and have been affected by your testimony. Thank you so much.
The meeting is adjourned.