Conservative MP Michael Chong spoke before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China in Washington, D.C. on September 12. He emphasized the need for closer cooperation between the United States and Canada in taking legislative action and exposing Chinese interference in order to reduce the threat posed by Beijing. Mr. Chong shared his personal experience of being targeted by Beijing’s attempts to meddle in Canadian politics. He highlighted various methods employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), such as operating illegal police stations, exploiting Chinese international students, and disseminating propaganda through the media. Mr. Chong stressed the importance of countering these tactics and working with democratic allies to protect the democratic values of both countries.
During the hearing, Commission Chairman Chris Smith asked Mr. Chong about the state of cooperation between the U.S. and Canada in countering Chinese interference. Mr. Chong suggested that both countries could share information on legislative models that have been effective in curbing foreign interference. He also emphasized the need for transparency and public exposure of such interference, without necessarily resorting to criminal prosecution. Mr. Chong emphasized that citizens and elected officials need to be informed in order to protect themselves from foreign interference.
Mr. Chong’s testimony before the Commission focused on countering Beijing’s global transnational repression campaign. He explained that the Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a coercive campaign against individuals who express opinions contrary to the party’s interests, targeting groups such as Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans, dissidents, activists, students, and journalists.
Mr. Chong himself became a target of Beijing due to his advocacy for human rights in China. He sponsored a motion in the House of Commons declaring the CCP’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocide. National security leaks earlier this year revealed that Mr. Chong and other Canadian MPs had caught Beijing’s attention. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) produced an intelligence assessment indicating that Canadian MPs were being targeted by Beijing for their anti-regime stance. However, there was a lack of communication within the Canadian government regarding this information. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially claimed that CSIS had chosen not to alert the government, but it later emerged that relevant departments and ministers had indeed been informed. This miscommunication raised concerns about the response to Beijing’s interference.
The revelations prompted Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to declare a Chinese consulate official in Toronto persona non grata for his involvement in targeting Mr. Chong and his family. Additionally, Mr. Chong was subjected to a coordinated disinformation campaign on Chinese social media, likely orchestrated by Beijing. The incidents highlighted the urgent need for cooperation and effective measures to counter Chinese interference in both Canada and the United States.