Investigation into Foreign Interference Reveals ‘Extensive’ Chinese Regime Effort Against Falun Gong in Canada
The Falun Gong community in Canada faces challenges such as manipulation by Chinese regime agents, physical and verbal abuse, and the spreading of regime-instigated hate through the media, as heard in the foreign interference inquiry on March 27. Representatives of diaspora groups targeted by foreign powers shared their experiences at the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference (PIFI) in Ottawa.
The inquiry, focusing on interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections, began with testimony from communities targeted by foreign actors and transnational repression. Grace Wollensak, representing the Falun Gong community, highlighted the extensive foreign interference campaign led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the past two decades.
She described Falun Gong as a meditation practice with moral teachings that gained popularity in China, leading to persecution by the CCP. Principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance clash with communist atheist ideology, making Falun Gong a target for eradication by then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin.
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The repression campaign faced by Falun Gong in China, including forced labor and torture, has extended to Canada, with regime agents using tactics like impersonation and disinformation to discredit the group. Instances of officials aligning with the CCP and media demonization were also highlighted by Ms. Wollensak.
She further shared experiences of interference by municipal and government officials and the challenges faced in advocating for the community. Other diaspora representatives also testified about their encounters with foreign interference.
Support from the city wavered due to Beijing’s influence, with examples of officials retracting support for Falun Gong activities after visits to China. Efforts to stifle protests and disperse vigils were cited as instances of foreign interference by local authorities.
‘Cost of Advocacy’
Mehmet Tohti, director of the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, testified about the high cost of advocacy efforts. He recounted a personal tragedy involving his family and highlighted the challenges faced by the Uyghur community due to CCP persecution.
Disclosure of Information
The day began with Commissioner Hogue summarizing the first round of hearings, emphasizing the balance between safeguarding national security and public education in dealing with classified information. The inquiry, sparked by political negotiations and leaks, delves into allegations of foreign interference in Canadian elections.
CSIS leaks depicted widespread interference by Beijing in the democratic process, leading to calls for an inquiry. Mr. Trudeau and officials are set to testify before the inquiry, shedding light on allegations of irregularities and ties to foreign entities in Canadian politics.
