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ACHK releases new report on foreign interference in Canadian elections 

Ottawa, ON
(May 31, 2023)
——
Alliance Canada Hong Kong (ACHK) released a new report titled, “Murky Waters: Beijing’s Influence in Canadian Democratic and Electoral Processes”.

The report provides in-depth analysis into specific tactics used by foreign principals to influence and interfere in Canadian electoral and democratic processes, and includes a small survey of politicians and campaign staffers. 

Foreign interference in political institutions is present at all levels of public office and across the political spectrum. Diaspora and dissident communities have long raised concerns about these threats. However, those outside of the diaspora and dissident communities lack the insights to identify foreign influence in its cultural context and understand how these activities are affecting Canada. 

Read the full report here

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Announcements

ACHK Releases Issues Brief on Hong Kong’s Upcoming Undemocratic Chief Executive Selection

OTTAWA, ON (May 5, 2022) – Alliance Canada Hong Kong releases an issue brief on Hong Kong’s upcoming  undemocratic Chief Executive selection, John Lee Ka Chiu is the sole candidate to this so-called election. 

Read the full brief here.

Writers:

Alliance Canada Hong Kong

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Announcements Uncategorized

ACHK Submits Recommendations to the Standing Committee on National Defence

OTTAWA, ON (March 29, 2022) – Alliance Canada Hong Kong submitted a brief and policy recommendations to the Standing Committee on National Defence for their current study: Threat Analysis Affecting Canada and the CAF Operational Readiness

Read the full report here.

Writers:

Alliance Canada Hong Kong
ACHK Government Relations Team

Contributor:

Sze-Fung Lee

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ACHK Submits Recommendations to the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights

OTTAWA, ON (January 26, 2022) – Alliance Canada Hong Kong submitted a brief and policy recommendations to the Subcommittee on Human Rights at the European Parliament titled “Summary of 2019-2020 Protest Movement and Hong Kong’s Current Situation Under the National Security Law.”

Read the full report here.

Writers:

  • Alliance Canada Hong Kong
  • ACHK Government Relations Team
  • ACHK Support Team
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ACHK testifies at the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights

Ottawa, ON (January 26, 2022) — Alliance Canada Hong Kong’s advisor Ai-Men Lau has testified at the Subcommittee on Human Rights at the European Parliament this morning at 10:45am Eastern / 7:45am Pacific time.

Below is the transcript of Ai-Men introductory remarks:

My name is Ai-Men Lau and I’m an advisor to Alliance Canada Hong Kong. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee today. I also would like to thank my co-panelists for their insights and testimonies.

The rapidly deteriorating situation in Hong Kong has left it unrecognizable. Authorities stamped out street protests, silenced voices, decimated political opposition, further eliminated democratic systems, destroyed press freedom and are now forcing many sectors to pledge allegiance to the state. Many Hong Kongers live in fear and uncertainty. Few see a viable future.

Today, my testimony focuses on the state of journalism and press freedom in Hong Kong.

In the past three years, the Hong Kong government and the Chinese government have succeeded in dismantling free press in the city. It started during the height of the protest movement. Police singled out journalists with harassment, verbal abuse, and threatened arrests. Military-grade flashlights, tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper sprays were deployed to obstruct journalists. One journalist was blinded during work. Now, they are using new methods to continue this suppression. Authorities are misusing outdated, colonial laws to silence independent media. They levaragethe NSL and national security police to target individual journalists and media organizations. This is against Hong Kong’s mini-constitution and against international law. Journalists and media are now forced to work in oppressive, and treacherous environments that are changing for the worse.

Journalists have been charged simply for:

  • Filming incidents and events
  • Requesting public information
  • Publishing editorial pieces critical of the government
  • Being associated with an NGO deemed to be in violation of the NSL

As Hong Kong experiences rapid change, journalism is needed more than ever. Journalism and press freedom are part of a healthy and vibrant democracy. But the state of journalism has never been more dire. Hong Kong journalists take on a significant amount of work with little pay. They take on security risks to themselves and their families. Threats and incidents have caused many to self-censor, or quit the industry entirely for safety concerns. (We have submitted a brief to the committee that includes written testimonials from local and foreign journalists).

Foreign correspondents are faced with the threat of their visa renewals being rejected if they write critically about Hong Kong or China. Hong Kong ministers write threatening letters to international media that report on unfolding events.

With the NSL, Hong Kong has lost its political opposition and visible dissenting voices. The few remaining independent media outlets in Hong Kong are being forced to close their doors. Hong Kong no longer has a vibrant free press that it has enjoyed for decades.

If you are a local language newspaper in Hong Kong, you can only stay safe if you repeat the official narrative. Balanced coverage no longer exists. Surviving media organizations today increasingly resemble Chinese state media.

In light of the crackdown on press freedom and civil society in Hong Kong, Alliance Canada Hong Kong would like to present four recommendations for the committee to consider:

First, we urge the committee to recommend the European Union to invoke Magnitsky-style sanctions against individual officials from the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong government, and the Chinese government, who have been, and are continually responsible for egregious human rights violations.

Second, we urge members of the European Union and its member states to create dedicated asylum pathways for Hong Kongers fleeing persecution, Offer low-barrier resettlement pathways for Hong Kongers. Most Hong Kongers cannot wait out the long complicated bureaucracy required by current immigration pathways.

Third, we urge the European Union and its members to continue monitoring Beijing’s formal and informal communications, changes in word choice, censorship tactics, and political posturing, for major insights on positions and policies within China.

Four, the European Union and its member states have a shared and important role to play on the international stage. Multilateral action is an effective way to confront Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong, and to coordinate a response to foreign authoritarian powers such as the PRC. It is imperative to expand the foreign and domestic policy toolbox to meet challenges we are facing now. As well as create room for proportionate and appropriate engagement with Beijing.

A common refrain you’ll hear from Hong Kongers is “remember to never become numb [to what is happening].” This is our call to resist the erasing of our collective memory. This is our call to remember why we protest.This is our call to remember that human right violations cannot become the norm. I ask this committee to remember and acknowledge the sacrifice that Hong Kongers have made and continue to make for the home we love.

Thank you again for this opportunity. I am happy to answer your questions.

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ACHK releases new report on foreign influence activities in Canada

OTTAWA, ON (May 31, 2021) – Alliance Canada Hong Kong published a new report titled, “In Plain Sight: Beijing’s Unrestricted Network of Foreign Influence in Canada.” This report examines the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) foreign influence and interference operations happening in Canada and provides recommendations on how to address these operations.

Read the full report here.

Seven aspects of the CCP’s foreign influence operations are covered in the report:

  1. Political influence,
  2. Elite capture,
  3. Surveillance and intimidation,
  4. Information and narrative discursion warfare,
  5. Academic influence & vulnerability of intellectual property,
  6. National security,
  7. United Front Work Department.
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ACHK to testify at the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations

Ottawa, ON (May 31, 2021) — Alliance Canada Hong Kong’s Executive Director Cherie Wong is set to testify at the Special Committee on Canada-China Relations tonight at 7:30pm Eastern / 4:30pm Pacific.

Below is the transcript of Cherie’s introductory remarks:

Thank you for inviting me again to speak to the committee.

Before I start, I want to make clear that diasporic communities are not a monolithic group. With heightened geopolitical tensions, we need to prioritize the protection of the diaspora and dissident communities from the Chinese Communist Party’s surveillance and intimidation, and be critical while not fanning xenophobia.

I was asked to speak about harassment and intimidation today, but what I’m about to tell you might not be what you’re expecting.

Dissidents are not safe. Not at work, not in their own homes, not in civil societies, and not in Canada.

Threats, censorship and intimidation will continue as long as companies, non-profits, academia, politicians, media and other institutions with vested interests are fearful of angering Beijing to do their bidding. Beijing is effectively exporting their authoritarianism overseas.

From previous meetings, witnesses from Canada’s intelligence and enforcement agencies assured the committee of their collective efforts in combating foreign interference. With my lived experiences, I can tell you existing institutions and legislations are not working. Beijing’s foreign influence cannot be addressed with blanket policies as the CCP operates across sectors and often within legal grey areas, making bans or criminalization largely ineffective.

Last time, I spoke about Beijing’s global expansionist authoritarianism, their blatant disregard for international rules based order, their influence and interference operations in Canada — including my own experience of surveillance and harassment. Beijing’s capacities, capabilities, and ambitions already pose a dangerous threat, but few countries fully see the CCP’s global strategy of influence.

The CCP has been testing the tolerance of liberal democracies with their authoritarian overreach, as international norms are actively being rewritten.

Current approach to China lacks the comprehensive view from diasporic communities that speak the language, understand its history, cultures and intentions. Activists have witnessed these influence efforts since the 90s – this is not new, but only newly realized.

In ACHK’s most recent report and recommendations, we covered surface level examinations of seven aspects of the CCP’s foreign interference currently observed in Canada:

  • Political influence
  • Elite capture
  • Surveillance and intimidation
  • Information and narrative discursion warfare
  • Academic Influence & Vulnerability of Intellectual Property
  • National security
  • United Front Work Department

We found similar tactics, strategies, and operations throughout the different sectors.

We need a whole-of-government approach in how Canada engages with foreign authoritarian powers, like China. We need to invest in the proper tools, infrastructures, and resources to protect Canadians and our national interests.

Canada has an important role to play on the international stage as multilateral actions are an effective way to confront Beijing collaboratively. But it is imperative to expand our foreign and domestic policy toolbox to meet challenges we are facing in the 21st Century.

Our recommendations are as follows:

  • Create legislation for a foreign influence transparency scheme, a public registry of individuals, organizations, and representatives who are acting on behalf of foreign states in Canada

  • Transparency scheme should be paired with a public commission with investigative and enforcement powers, serving as the centralized point to coordinate the different levels of government, Canadian institutions, public agencies, and the general public
  • Support Canadian research & intellectual property with a cohesive federal policy to regulate research collaborations with foreign actors, while increasing funding for Canadian innovations
  • Invest into Resources and Infrastructures for Ethnic Communities in Canada
  • Protecting Canadians by placing restrictions on foreign actors from the collection, purchase, or export of Canadian citizen’s personal information and data

Harassment and intimidation of Canadians need to be understood from the perspective of dissidents. We need an approach to foreign influence that centers the communities’ needs, while addressing the issues holistically and strategically.

Thank you again for having me. I am happy to answer your questions.

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ACHK Submits Updated Recommendations: Immediate Program Options for Hong Kongers Seeking Protection and August Exit Ban Situation Brief

Hong Kong Exit Bans – Gaps and Barriers for Activists to Leave

OTTAWA, ON (May 26, 2021) – ACHK has submitted Updated Recommendations: Immediate Program Options for Hong Kongers Seeking Protection and Situation Brief: Hong Kong Exit Bans – Gaps and Barriers for Activists to Leave, to the Government of Canada.

Immediate Program Options for Hong Kongers Seeking Protection

Writers:
Alliance Canada Hong Kong
ACHK Government Relations Team

The policy brief is available for download here.

 

Hong Kong Exit Bans – Gaps and Barriers for Activists to Leave

Writers:
Alliance Canada Hong Kong
This brief was written with the consultation of Information gathering teams in Hong Kong and Canadian Hong Konger teams currently assisting fleeing activists

The situation brief is available for download here

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ACHK Testifies at Subcommittee on International Human Rights

On Tuesday May 4th, ACHK’s Ai-Men Lau testified in front of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

A video of their testimony is available here:

The full video of the day’s testimonies is available on parliament’s website here.

A transcript of Ai-Men’s testimony is reproduced below

Bonsoir, je m’appelle Ai-Men Lau. (I want to extend my thanks for the opportunity to testify today.) Je vous remercie de m’avoir invité à témoigner aujourd’hui. I’d also like to thank the technical and translation team for all their hard work.

From the 2019 peaceful protest movement till today, Hong Kong’s autonomy has been decimated by the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government. This has continued with impunity and the inaction has only emboldened the Chinese regime. 

The Hong Kong Government uses the National Security Law to stamp out street protests, silence dissenting voices, gut the city’s legislature, decimate political opposition, and weaponize COVID-19 health measures to restrict movement, mobility and gatherings, effectively bringing the entire movement to its knees. 

Without an opposition, Beijing has implemented sweeping institutional changes to ensure complete control over the city’s governance, including:

  • Stripping Hong Kong of its electoral autonomy
  • Requiring pledges of allegiance in public sectors
  • Firing teachers for their political views
  • Delegitimizing university student unions 
  • Targeting trade unions and religious groups
  • Raiding and targeting pro-democractic “yellow businesses”
  • Requiring professional bodies like the HK Bar Association to adhere to its “patriotic statutory duties” 
  • Requiring internet service providers to ban specific websites under the NSL

Beijing’s political imperative has now seeped into society and private life.

Living in fear and uncertainty, pro-democracy Hong Kongers are struggling to see a brighter future. Two years ago, Hong Kongers were able to march the streets to voice their concerns. Today they can be arrested for simply holding up blank pieces of paper in protest. 

We have witnessed countless coordinated attacks by police officers and triads on regular civilians, arbitrary arrest of medics and reporters, protestors were beaten, raped, tortured and denied due process. Co-organizers have gone missing for months on end and many more have fled to Taiwan via boat. As of February 28 this year, there are 10,242 arrests and 2,506 prosecutions related to the protests. Yet after two years of perpetrating violent state and police suppression, few, if any police officers, triad members, or government officials have been held accountable. 

Over 60% of youths in Hong Kong are hoping to leave the city. In a city-wide survey conducted by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, 1 in 5 Hong Kongers are seeking to flee the city and 65% are not confident about Hong Kong’s political future.

Even before the passage of the National Security Law, many Hong Kongers who hold foreign passports or have the financial resources have fled the city in fear of retaliation for their involvement in the protest movement, but now, even that may be at risk.

The Hong Kong government has passed a law that can bar people from leaving or entering, transforming Hong Kong into an open air prison. This law will come into effect August 1st, meaning we have a limited window of time  to act.

We have three recommendations for the committee to consider: 

  1. First, we have previously submitted recommendations to CIMM which we will be also submitting to this committee. Canada should create a dedicated asylum pathway for those fleeing prosecution or persecution, along with other immigration policy changes such as modifying private sponsorship and family reunification that enables extended family members to resettle here. Canada should also plan to support the 300K Canadians and their families who need to renew permanent residence status or make applications. We urge you to consider the travel visa restrictions that have barred many from entering Canada, whether to seek asylum or to resettle permanently. 
  2. Second, even though Hong Kongers are hoping to leave the city, we know that many more cannot leave. This is why we need to hold Hong Kong and Chinese officials accountable. Canada should invoke the Justice for the Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, placing targeted sanctions against the Hong Kong government, Hong Kong Police Force, and PRC officials who are complicit in perpetrating human rights violations. We must also ensure that sanctions are enforceable by the Government of Canada. 
  3. Finally, we also urge Canada to address foreign-state harassment operations , as dissidents’ families are also targeted by authorities in Hong Kong and China. 

Merci/Thank you again for inviting me. I am happy to take your questions.

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ACHK Submits Recommendations to the Subcommittee on International Human Rights

OTTAWA, ON (May 4, 2021) – ACHK has submitted policy recommendations to the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Summary of 2019-2020 Protest Movement and Hong Kong’s Current Situation Under the National Security Law
Written Submission to the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR)

Writers:
Alliance Canada Hong Kong
ACHK Government Relations Team
ACHK Support Team

The paper is available for download here.