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Toronto woman 'shocked' to see her personal data in secret Chinese report
Yahoo! News ^ | 06/17/05 | JIM BRONSKILL

Posted on 06/18/2005 7:36:27 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster

Toronto woman 'shocked' to see her personal data in secret Chinese report

JIM BRONSKILL

Fri Jun 17, 5:41 PM ET

OTTAWA (CP) - A Toronto woman says she was shocked and annoyed to see her personal information in a secret report to Chinese officials.

Jillian Ye, a database consultant in suburban Scarborough, found herself at the centre of a storm Friday over allegations of Chinese espionage in Canada.

The 39-year-old Ye, a longtime practitioner of Falun Gong, was the subject of a September 2004 report to security officials in China, where many say followers of the ancient meditative practice have been persecuted.

The federal Conservatives and a national group representing Falun Gong devotees expressed concern about Ye's case Friday, citing it as a prime example of Chinese government interference in Canadian affairs.

They accused the Liberals of failing to firmly voice Canada's opposition to harassment and spying by Beijing.

The leaked report, slated for circulation to government security bureaus throughout China, contains information about Ye's plans to start a communications firm as well as details of her recent purchase of a New York residence for her parents.

It was addressed to a Deputy Minister Liu with instructions to distribute the contents to the Central Cult Prevention and Management Leadership Committee Office, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various security offices.

"Clearly, absolutely, my rights are violated," Ye said in an interview.

As a Falun Gong activist since 1995, Ye expected she and fellow practitioners in Canada were being monitored.

"However, to this extent - this kind of detail - it's a bit shocking."

The report was obtained by the Epoch Times, an independent newspaper based in New York that publishes Chinese, English and French editions in Canada.

The Times made a copy of the report available to The Canadian Press.

It was among about eight such documents received by the Times from Hao Fengjun, a former security officer in Tianjin, China, who is claiming asylum in Australia.

Chinese officials deny Hao's charges of government spying, saying he's simply trying to bolster his efforts to win asylum.

The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

Hao claims Beijing maintains a network of more than 1,000 spies in Canada, with operatives in Toronto, Vancouver and several other major cities.

Hao says he smuggled hundreds of documents into Australia on a digital recorder as part of a visiting tour group.

He decided to seek asylum after the defection of Chen Yonglin, a Chinese diplomat stationed in Sydney, who also told of a vast foreign espionage web run by Beijing.

In 1999, the Communist government outlawed Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, which had attracted millions of practitioners.

Supporters say thousands of followers have been detained and hundreds killed, a charge China denies.

The Falun Dafa Association of Canada said Friday that Chinese spies, informants and agents compile dossiers on devotees of the practice and wage intimidation campaigns against them.

Between 30 and 35 practitioners across Canada have been targeted with harassing telephone calls, according to the association.

Ye said in the interview she received repeated phone calls early this year featuring a taped message denouncing Falun Gong.

Association spokeswoman Lucy Zhou was disturbed by the Chinese security report about Ye.

"It's very shocking for me to see because it shows how closely they're monitoring," Zhou said. "And this is something that has to be stopped."

In the Commons, Conservative deputy leader Peter MacKay pointed to the revelations about surveillance of Ye in urging the government to crack down on Chinese espionage.

MacKay said there was "growing and concrete evidence of a massive Chinese network" actively spying on the activities of Canadians and trolling for economic secrets.

"Has the foreign affairs minister called the Chinese ambassador to express our government's objection to these deplorable actions, and what specific measures have been taken to address this serious sovereignty and security breach?" MacKay asked.

Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan said the government tries to resolve outstanding issues with China through dialogue.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is "very much aware" of allegations about Chinese activities in Canada, she added.

McLellan also said if anyone believes he or she is being harassed, the matter should be taken up with police.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: agent; canada; china; chinese; dossier; falungong; intelligence

1 posted on 06/18/2005 7:36:28 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster; maui_hawaii; tallhappy; Dr. Marten; Jeff Head; Khurkris; hedgetrimmer; ...

Ping!


2 posted on 06/18/2005 7:36:46 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: TigerLikesRooster
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service is "very much aware" of allegations about Chinese activities in Canada, she added.

But when they eat their Smarties, do they eat the red ones last?

3 posted on 06/18/2005 7:51:35 AM PDT by rickmichaels (God Bless America, Land That I Love)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Before, we had the defector trying to go to Australia now we have this little tidbit of info. Nothing like having corroborating evidence that for the most part will be ignored by most.


4 posted on 06/18/2005 7:52:15 AM PDT by DarkWaters
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Chinese are everywhere.


5 posted on 06/18/2005 7:53:55 AM PDT by sandydipper (Less government is best government!)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

an insidious chicom bump 2 you. don't let any of it drip onto you!


6 posted on 06/18/2005 7:56:17 AM PDT by ken21
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Perhaps she can sue? Canada may not have much in the way of counter-intel or an armed forces, but they seem to have enough lawyers.


7 posted on 06/18/2005 7:57:45 AM PDT by struwwelpeter
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Is Falun Gong that much of an issue for FR or conservatives? I'm not looking for a flame war but trying to understand the issue better. Is there some political aspect of Falun Gong that I'm not aware of, and why is it so threatening to China? The Chinese reaction to Falun Gong just seems so overboard compared to what appears to be a benign religious organization.


8 posted on 06/18/2005 8:00:45 AM PDT by Morgan in Denver
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To: Morgan in Denver
Re #8

Religious sects figured prominently into the downfall of many Chinese dynasties. The most recent examples are Taiping Sect and Boxers in late 19th century. Chinese communists are in a way another strand of secret cult organization which overthrew the existing government and took over China. Since late Han dynasty, variants of Daoism, Maitreya Cult, and Manichaeism sprang up and challenged and frequently toppled the imperial government when discontent boiled over among peasants.

When Chinese regime see Falun Gong sect, they see the resurgence of such entrenched tradition, whether it is peaceful or not. They are afraid that it could be a conduit for people angry at the regime.

9 posted on 06/18/2005 8:19:18 AM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
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To: Morgan in Denver

That's a good question. Is it that they seem to be spreading despite the efforts of the Chicoms?


10 posted on 06/18/2005 8:20:47 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

Thanks for the explanation, and the history lesson. It makes me more comfortable in supporting Falun Gong since I'm not a member.


11 posted on 06/18/2005 8:32:57 AM PDT by Morgan in Denver
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