Ottawa seeking talks with China’s ambassador over alleged secret police stations – National | 24CA News
A Global Affairs Canada official says the division has referred to as in China’s ambassador quite a few instances over allegations that secret police stations are concentrating on that nation’s diaspora in Canada.
A human-rights group has reported that China operates secret abroad police stations in additional than 50 areas across the globe to maintain tabs on its residents overseas.
The Spain-based group Safeguard Defenders mentioned three such areas function in Toronto, however the Chinese embassy in Canada has described them as volunteer-run service stations to course of issues like driver’s licences.
The RCMP mentioned in early November that it’s investigating the problem, and officers advised MPs in early October that they have been conscious of the claims.
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On Tuesday, a senior foreign-affairs official mentioned that in current weeks, his division has referred to as in Chinese ambassador Cong Peiwu a number of instances over the problem.
Opposition events say Ottawa ought to have been extra forthcoming with that info.
“We’ve had several engagements. We’ve called the ambassador in on multiple occasions and we have conveyed our deep concern,” mentioned Weldon Epp, the director common for North East Asia.
He provided that affirmation whereas chatting with MPs on the House committee on relations with China.
“The government of Canada has formally insisted that the Chinese government, including the ambassador and his embassy, take account for any activities within Canada that fall outside of the Vienna Convention … and ensure that they cease and desist,” Epp mentioned.
He was referring to United Nations guidelines that present diplomatic immunity to mission officers, who in flip conform to not intervene in inside affairs.
That consists of solely providing administrative providers at embassies and consulates, supplied by people who find themselves formally accredited to do this work.
Epp was responding to questions from MPs on what steps GAC had taken since his final look on the committee on Oct. 4, when he mentioned he was conscious of the claims of abroad police operations.
“The activity that’s being alleged would be entirely illegal and totally inappropriate, and it would be the subject of very serious representations and followup diplomatically,” he advised MPs on the time.
Epp mentioned Tuesday he couldn’t disclose whether or not his colleagues are reviewing the credentials Canada has granted to Chinese diplomats.
On Wednesday, Conservative MPs mentioned Global Affairs ought to have advised the general public it had referred to as within the ambassador.
“We really need to see more clarity and transparency from the federal government, and leadership from the prime minister,” mentioned Alberta MP Laila Goodridge.
“Canadians should not be waiting for information to be trickling in slowly, and only as absolutely pressed by this committee,” she mentioned.
Liberal MP Jean Yip mentioned final week that one constituent had requested her about reporting on the alleged police stations, together with one in her using, however that none had advised her workplace about any private expertise with the company.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned final month that he raised the problem of interference straight with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the G20 summit in Indonesia, who later berated him for informing media about their dialog.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
