Ottawa, December 11, 2024 – A parliamentary event was held in Ottawa to launch a report on the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) foreign interference in Canada. The event was co-hosted by MPs John McKay, Michael Chong, and Jenny Kwan and was attended by a diverse group of parliamentarians, senators, government officials, and representatives from affected communities, including the Uyghur, Hong Kong, and Tibetan diaspora. The event featured a presentation by the team from Digital Public Square (DPS) on the findings of their study, followed by impactful testimonials from community representatives sharing their lived experiences with PRC interference.
Sherap Therchin, Director of the Canada Tibet Committee (CTC), delivered a presentation on the challenges faced by Tibetans due to PRC’s interference. He highlighted the historical context of Tibet’s occupation since 1949 and the ongoing repression under Xi Jinping’s leadership. Sherap described the systematic attacks on Tibetan language, culture, and religion, noting policies of forced assimilation, such as residential schools for Tibetan children and the relocation of nomads into military-like camps disguised as vocational training centers. He emphasized that these policies are eroding the very fabric of Tibetan identity.
Sherap also drew attention to the infiltration of Tibetan monasteries by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its interference in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly the abduction of the Panchen Lama in 1995. This act not only deprived Tibetans of a key spiritual leader but also complicates the future succession of the Dalai Lama, a process the CCP is actively trying to control.
Turning to Canada, Sherap highlighted instances of PRC-backed disinformation campaigns aimed at misleading Canadians about the human rights situation in Tibet. He cited examples, including claims of religious freedom and economic development in Tibet, which starkly contrast with the realities of oppression. He warned that such narratives whitewash the severe penalties Tibetans face for acts as simple as possessing a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In his address, Sherap called for Canada’s active involvement in addressing these issues. He urged the Canadian government to advocate for the resumption of Sino-Tibetan dialogue while His Holiness the Dalai Lama is still alive, as a step toward peacefully resolving the conflict. Sherap also proposed the adoption of reciprocity in Canada-China relations, highlighting the disparity in access and freedoms enjoyed by Chinese delegates and businesses in Canada compared to the restrictions faced by Canadians in China. He cited the cases of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were arbitrarily detained in China, as examples of the risks posed by the lack of reciprocity.
Sherap concluded by emphasizing the broader impact of foreign interference, particularly the climate of fear it creates among vulnerable diaspora communities like Tibetans and Uyghurs. He noted that this fear often leads to self-censorship, psychological stress, and a diminished ability to exercise democratic rights in Canada.