A newly released document shows that Canadian intelligence officials have been monitoring Chinese efforts to interfere in Canadian affairs for nearly 40 years.
A Canadian press used the Access to Information Act to obtain a report titled China/Canada: Interference in the Chinese-Canadian CommunityPrepared by the Federal Intelligence Advisory Committee in 1986.
This intelligence report has already warned Canada against China’s political tactics and covert influence operations to exploit the Chinese diaspora in the country.
It also says that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is using new and dynamic techniques to achieve these goals. Its efforts continued to influence many of the larger Chinese communities abroad and to use these communities for its economic and political gain.
In Canada and in the West.
Much of the document is redacted on the grounds that its disclosure would be detrimental to the conduct of international affairs, the security of Canada or the detection, prevention or suppression of subversive or hostile activities.
Long-term anxiety
A 1986 report demonstrates that the issue has been on the radar of Canadian intelligence for decades.
said Alan Barnes, a former intelligence analyst and now senior researcher Norman Patterson School of International Affairs from Carleton University.
Recently discovering the title of the document during archival research, Mr. Barnes indicates that the Advisory Committee on Intelligence was chaired by the Federal Coordinator for Security and Intelligence in the Privy Council Office.
His reports were sent to various senior government officials
In this case Mr. Barnes explains.
The researcher adds that the partial release of the intelligence report, 37 years after it was written, illustrates the need for Canada to adopt an appropriate system for declassifying historical intelligence and security records after a certain period of time.
The only member of Five Eyes is Canada (Five eyes), which includes the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand, he notes, has no process for classifying historical documents.
Not an accident
Cheuk Kwan, co-chair of the Toronto Association for Chinese Democracy, was not surprised by the report. He says he has been aware of Chinese efforts to incite individuals and groups to interfere in Canadian affairs since the early 1980s. Very low level
At the time.
They know what they are trying to do. It was no accident
He said in an interview.
In an effort to restore its image, badly damaged following the bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square, Mr. Kwan believes.
Regarding the published report, he said that while it certainly helps document the history of China’s interference programs, it is important to focus on this document alone. Look back instead of forward
.
A timely report
The report comes amid pressure on the Liberal government to hold an inquiry into foreign interference in Canada, following media leaks about Chinese interference.
Media leaks from unnamed security sources alleging attempts by China to interfere in the past two general elections have prompted the federal Liberals to explain what Canada is doing in response to those attempts.
In recent years, the central government and its security agencies have begun to openly point the finger at Beijing’s attempts to counter foreign interference.
Chinese government officials continue to deny any interference in Canadian affairs. In this case, former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) policeman William Majsar was arrested on Friday. RCMP And chargedPerformance of preparatory activities on behalf of a foreign company
And the conspiracy.
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