Ms. Zhang, a Canadian of Chinese origin, has been a target for several years after speaking out against the oppression of Falun Gong. She and her family have faced ongoing threats and harassment in Canada, which she believes is an extension of the Chinese regime’s persecution of her spiritual adherence. In 2001, while living in Vancouver, Ms. Zhang became a target after publicly speaking out against the oppression of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She experienced incidents such as her car window being smashed and her balcony being covered in excrement.
Ms. Zhang recalls questioning who could be responsible for these actions, as she had no personal enemies and had recently moved into her apartment. These incidents reflect the experiences documented in the report released by the Falun Dafa Association of Canada (FDAC), which outlines the CCP’s foreign interference over the past 24 years targeting residents in Canada who practice Falun Gong. The report reveals that practitioners of Falun Gong are under constant surveillance by CCP agents in Canada.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that originated in China in 1992. It gained popularity due to its health benefits but was perceived as a threat to the Chinese regime’s control. In 1999, a nationwide mass arrest and persecution campaign was initiated, aiming to eradicate the practice. Ms. Zhang’s family members in China have also suffered under the communist regime due to their adherence to Falun Gong.
The FDAC report exposes numerous instances in Canada where individuals and entities engage in assault, intimidation, harassment, and social exclusion of Falun Gong practitioners. The report also highlights the CCP’s campaign to alter public perception and diminish support for Falun Gong’s call for justice and human rights, extending its influence to various aspects of Canadian civil, social, and political life.
The FDAC proposes recommendations in response to the CCP’s interference and repression, including publicly condemning the regime’s persecution of Falun Gong and holding Chinese diplomats accountable for infiltration and repression activities in Canada. During a press conference, FDAC representative Grace Wollensak emphasized the need for the Canadian government to protect its citizens from foreign interference by the CCP. She pointed out the presence of a “Special Anti-Falun Gong Working Group” in Chinese missions worldwide, which aims to pressure host countries not to recognize Falun Gong and exclude adherents from civic activities. Ms. Wollensak called for decisive action to address the infiltration and treat it as a top priority.