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NEW: I delved into the connections between one rural B.C. politician and China.
What I found helps illustrate the efforts Beijing is making big and small to change the global narrative about its governance. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #china #bcpoli
What I found helps illustrate the efforts Beijing is making big and small to change the global narrative about its governance. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #china #bcpoli
This is Al Richmond, former chair of the Cariboo region, one of thousands of local politicians across Canada.
In the eyes of some, wittingly or not, Richmond had been pulled into China's global influence machine. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #bcpoli
In the eyes of some, wittingly or not, Richmond had been pulled into China's global influence machine. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli #bcpoli
Back in March, Richmond sat down with China's official news agency Xinhua and said:
“China was ultimately, I think, successful in containing the ( #COVID19) virus."
The outlet extensively promoted the remarks on its international social media channels. https://twitter.com/xhnews/status/1238789676846047232
“China was ultimately, I think, successful in containing the ( #COVID19) virus."
The outlet extensively promoted the remarks on its international social media channels. https://twitter.com/xhnews/status/1238789676846047232
This wasn’t the first time Xinhua quoted Al Richmond.
Last year, the state outlet also highlighted Richmond's endorsement of #Huawei's technology.
Richmond told me Xinhua “sought him out”, and got his title wrong in at least one story. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Last year, the state outlet also highlighted Richmond's endorsement of #Huawei's technology.
Richmond told me Xinhua “sought him out”, and got his title wrong in at least one story. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Richmond told me he has pursued closer ties with the Chinese government, “with the goal of facilitating trade, tourism and business connections” for his mostly rural community.
This story is about the tension between such goals, and the larger context. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
This story is about the tension between such goals, and the larger context. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Local politicians tend to focus on things like boosting economic ties and tourism with China, leaving politics aside.
But “municipal politicians are often the prime target" for foreign influence, says former national security analyst @StephanieCarvin: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
But “municipal politicians are often the prime target" for foreign influence, says former national security analyst @StephanieCarvin: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
I want to be clear that Richmond has been very open and responsive to my questions.
There’s no indication of any improper actions on his part.
But his experiences underscore the issues at play for untold others. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli
There’s no indication of any improper actions on his part.
But his experiences underscore the issues at play for untold others. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli
In 2017, Richmond organized a trade mission of B.C. mayors to China. It was funded by businessman James Wu of the Canada China City and Town Friendship Association — one of numerous organizations around the world that promote closer ties with Beijing. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Richmond attended a ceremony in Barkerville, where he accepted donations totalling $100,000 from the Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations (CACA) for the repair of a historic cemetery.
But he didn't know much about this organization. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
But he didn't know much about this organization. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
CACA is a group of more than 100 organizations committed to strengthening Chinese-Canadian ties. As our investigation found in 2018, the alliance appears to have very close ties with the Chinese government. https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/10/16/vancouver-society-at-centre-of-vote-buying-allegations-has-ties-to-chinese-government.html%20 #cdnpoli #china
I spent weeks verifying reports. I thought one was most telling.
In 2017, Richmond attended an event.
He wasn't aware of political discussions, but an event summary supported Beijing’s controversial claims to the South China Sea, among other issues. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
In 2017, Richmond attended an event.
He wasn't aware of political discussions, but an event summary supported Beijing’s controversial claims to the South China Sea, among other issues. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Here's the event summary on CACA's website, with a photo of Richmond giving a speech through a translator.
https://ca-ca.ca/en/component/content/article/108-2016/events/news2017/376-%E8%81%94%E5%B8%AD%E4%BC%9A%E4%B8%BE%E5%8A%9E%E6%98%A5%E8%8A%82%E5%9B%A2%E6%8B%9C%E5%85%B1%E5%90%8C%E4%B8%BB%E5%B8%AD%E5%BA%A7%E8%B0%88%E4%BC%9A.html
https://ca-ca.ca/en/component/content/article/108-2016/events/news2017/376-%E8%81%94%E5%B8%AD%E4%BC%9A%E4%B8%BE%E5%8A%9E%E6%98%A5%E8%8A%82%E5%9B%A2%E6%8B%9C%E5%85%B1%E5%90%8C%E4%B8%BB%E5%B8%AD%E5%BA%A7%E8%B0%88%E4%BC%9A.html
Being used in propaganda is a common scenario.
Vancouver councillor @PtFry learned this the hard way.
“I’ve attended events organized by Chinese government officials and see how they later manipulate the messaging to go hard on a nationalistic framing" https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Vancouver councillor @PtFry learned this the hard way.
“I’ve attended events organized by Chinese government officials and see how they later manipulate the messaging to go hard on a nationalistic framing" https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Political scientist @StewartPrest said there’s a long-standing assumption among municipal politicians that doesn’t suit the complexity of modern times.
"It’s more naiveté on the part of Canadian politicians and not understanding the stakes involved." https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
"It’s more naiveté on the part of Canadian politicians and not understanding the stakes involved." https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Domestic spy agency @csiscanada told me that not only politicians but all Canadian residents should be vigilant and educate themselves about what foreign influence looks like.
The scope of such activities can be very broad. Read their full statement here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
The scope of such activities can be very broad. Read their full statement here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
“So you have a trade trip to Beijing, meetings with Chinese officials, and now you’re speaking with pro-China propaganda outlets. Each itself is not a problem, but in aggregate, there might be national security issues to worry about.” @StephanieCarvin https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
The bottom line -- China and other countries seek influence at all political levels, and local government officials are prime targets.
But I found out that municipal politicians rarely receive training on foreign influence. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli
But I found out that municipal politicians rarely receive training on foreign influence. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html @TorontoStar #cdnpoli
A government spokesperson said security briefings are conducted on a “case by case” basis, and are not mandatory for elected officials.
“The briefings have not previously included municipalities, but would be extended to them on request." https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html #cdnpoli
“The briefings have not previously included municipalities, but would be extended to them on request." https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html #cdnpoli
Without better public awareness, is knee-jerk racism and xenophobia more likely?
Al Richmond says he would like to be better informed, but he worries all Chinese Canadian groups will become tarnished as politicians try to become more vigilant. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Al Richmond says he would like to be better informed, but he worries all Chinese Canadian groups will become tarnished as politicians try to become more vigilant. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
More context: As vice-president of the @UBCM in 2012, Richmond endorsed having the Chinese Consulate in Vancouver host a yearly cocktail party for municipal politicians, which Mayor @BradWestPoCo successfully campaigned to end.
More details here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
More details here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
I should stop tweeting so you can read the article, which took many weeks working with my editor @keixote to complete.
What questions do you have and what issues do you think these examples raise in your mind? What do you think are potential solutions? https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
What questions do you have and what issues do you think these examples raise in your mind? What do you think are potential solutions? https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
I hope the piece reads as fair, raising open questions about how politicians can serve constituents without "getting used".
In this climate, nuance can disappear.
People have accused me of being a stooge for the CCP, just because I have a Chinese name! https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
In this climate, nuance can disappear.
People have accused me of being a stooge for the CCP, just because I have a Chinese name! https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/08/08/are-canadas-local-politicians-a-target-for-beijings-global-pr-machine.html
Good question: https://twitter.com/xau/status/1292176727888846854
Fascinating, thanks for sharing your experience: https://twitter.com/AlanWharris/status/1292179504455090179
