Tuesday, January 12, 2016

State Media Supports Banning Canadian Beauty Queen for Criticizing China

On December 28, 2015, the state sponsored Global Times published an editorial entitled “Miss World Canada Must Accept Consequences of Political Action.” Some excerpts:
In November, Miss World Canada Anastasia Lin, a Chinese-born Canadian citizen, said she was denied a visa to come to China for the competition. Chinese immigration officials also stopped her boarding a flight from Hong Kong to Sanya, foiling her attempt to benefit from Hainan Province's special visa policy for Canadian nationals.

In a response to inquiries made by Canadian newspaper Globe and Mail, the Chinese embassy in Canada declared that "China does not allow any persona non grata to come to China." Lin had earned the "unwelcome person" status before she claimed the title of Miss Canada, and it was for a reason.
. . . .
Several roles she played showed Falun Gong in a positive light, a group branded a dangerous cult by the Chinese government due to its brainwashing and the risk it poses to social stability.

Her advocacy for "human rights" based on her "sympathy" for Tibet and Xinjiang separatists aims to smear the Chinese authorities, regardless of the separatists' notoriety in Chinese society. In July, she testified at a US Congressional hearing, criticizing China's "persecution" of religious freedom.
. . . .
Every society should stick to certain principles. If Lin continues on her way, she should bear the costs. In most cases, political speculation is like walking on the edge of a cliff. It's only a delusion if she wants to be a double-dealer, tarnishing China's image to please the West, and while gaining popularity in the Chinese market.

Translation: Xu Zhiyong's Statement in His Own Defense

 Source: https://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/694913.html China Digital Times: On April 10, 2023, Xu Zhiyong, a well-known human rights de...