Chinese Diplomat Gets the Boot for Collecting Information on Falun Gong

According to an Epoch Times report on November 14th, the Canadian government refused to extend the visa of Wang Pengfei, the second secretary for the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa. Wang Pengfei left Canada before October 25th. Sources say Wang Pengfei was denied the visa because he collected information on Falun Gong practitioners in Canada and participated in other anti-Falun Gong activities, which exceeded his proscribed diplomatic duties.

Visa rejections for diplomats are rare

According to the Epoch Times, sources confirmed on November 13th that Wang Pengfei's visa had expired at the end of October 2006, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Canada) had refused his application for an extension. Wang Pengfei was forced to return to China two weeks ago. Wang's name appeared on the roster of foreign diplomats in Canada published in September, but is not included in the most recent index from November.

Wang Pengfei collected information on Falun Gong practitioners and organises anti-Falun Gong activities

Wang Pengfei published an article under his real name entitled "Chinese Embassy in Canada Holds Forum for Chinese Students and Scholars Association" in the April 2004 issue of China Scholars Abroad, a magazine by overseas Chinese students. The article states, "Sun Yan, president of the CSSA at this university [Quebec University] introduced a rich variety of propaganda activities sponsored by the CSSA, as well as a battle of strength and intelligence against Falun Gong elements."

Dai Gongyu, a Falun Gong practitioner living in Ottawa said the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa is in charge of affairs concerning Chinese students. Officials from this office collect information on Falun Gong practitioners through different channels. They interfere with and obstruct Falun Gong practitioners' activities in Ottawa through Chinese student organisations.

Dai Gongyu also said, "Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visited Ottawa in December 2003. Falun Gong practitioners held a peaceful protest in front of the Westin Hotel where Wen Jiabao stayed. They had unfurled banners that read, 'Welcome, Wen Jiabao!' and 'Severely Punish Jiang Zemin.' One male official and one female official from the embassy's Education Office directed Chinese students to squeeze in front of Falun Gong practitioners and wave red flags, to block the banner 'Severely Punish Jiang Zemin' from view. The officials shouted to Chinese students, 'Make sure you cover it up!' Other Chinese people present confirmed that the male official was Wang Pengfei.

"The head of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) told Falun Gong practitioners later on that those who organised the attempt to block Falun Gong had received a warning."

Zhang Lingdi, a student at Ottawa University said she received an email from Xu, vice president of the CSSA at Ottawa University in September 2005. The email detailed Zhang Lingdi's activities [in Ottawa] including holding a press conference to rescue her father, who was illegally arrested and detained in China for practising Falun Gong. The email said, "according to reports from some students and the investigation done by the association's cadre, you are still a Falun Gong member." Xu (author of the email) "advised" Zhang Lingdi and other Falun Gong practitioners to "take care and watch out for yourself."

Zhang Lingdi said, "I found it strange because it's my right to practise Falun Gong, and it is legal in Canada. Why did the CSSA at Ottawa University conduct investigations on my personal activities?"

"I read the email again more carefully and found this sentence, 'the CSSA at Ottawa University, under the direct leadership of the Education Office of Chinese Embassy,' and then I realised who was collecting information on Falun Gong practitioners, manipulating the CSSA, and threatening Falun Gong practitioners."

More than one incident of inappropriate activities by Chinese diplomats

Chen Yonglin, a former official at the Chinese Consulate in Sydney, Australia who defected from his post in June 2005 had testified at a U.S. congressional hearing on July 21st, 2005 that after the Communist regime began persecuting Falun Gong, an important task for Chinese diplomats is to carry out persecution of Falun Gong. One important assignment for Chinese diplomats is to "mobilize the forces of the Chinese communities, Chinese students and Chinese companies to squeeze Falun Gong's living space." Chen Yonglin revealed that there are more than 1,000 spies who conduct anti-Falun Gong activities operate in Canada.

Lucy Zhou, a spokeswoman for Falun Gong in Ottawa said, "the Wang Pengfei incident serves as a lesson for all Chinese diplomats who swear loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party--engaging in anti-Falun Gong activities in Canada goes beyond their proscribed duties. Does this visa rejection mean Wang Pengfei's activities have received attention? Will it destroy his future as a diplomat or even prevent the possibility of visiting foreign countries in the future? Which country would want to accept a person with a prior record such as this one?"

According to insiders, although Lu Shumin, Chinese Ambassador to Canada tried very hard to lift Wang Pengfei's spirits before Wang took off for China, Wang still looked very upset, which dampened the air at the embassy and adversely affected other officials there.

Pan Xinchun, the Deputy Consul General in Toronto was convicted of libel for attacking a Canadian Falun Gong practitioner in a Canadian newspaper article. He was fined 1,000 Canadian dollars, a symbolic amount requested by the plaintiff, and ordered to pay 10,000 Canadian Dollars litigation fee. The Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued a summons for Pan Xinchun on November 16th to conduct an audit of his financial assets. Pan Xinchun failed to appear in court. It was learned that he has left Canada before the scheduled date.

An article entitled "Chinese Accused of Slander" published on June 23rd, 2005 in the Edmonton Sun says, "According to city police, Alberta Justice is looking at possible charges against staff at the Chinese consulate over alleged propaganda material defaming the Falun Gong movement."

It is learned that the two Chinese officials who were charged had terminated their terms and left Canada.

Read the complete Edmonton Sun article at http://www.fofg.org/news/news_story.php?doc_id=1086