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Liberal candidate Peter Yuen, chosen to replace Paul Chiang, linked to pro-Beijing groups, events

Mr. Yuen appears to have a strong relationship with China’s diplomatic mission in Toronto. In 2014, the consulate held an event to mark his promotion to Toronto police superintendent. He has attended consulate celebrations, including one in January, 2020, that included a photo display on Xinjiang province that did not acknowledge Beijing’s brutal treatment of its Muslim Uyghur minority there. Canada’s Parliament adopted a motion in 2021 that declared China’s treatment of its Uyghurs a genocide.

Mr. Yuen has also spoken at and attended events of the Toronto branch of Chinese Freemasons, which has advocated for what it calls the “peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan,” a phrase rejected by the Taiwanese government, which contends that only the self-governing island can decide its own future. Ottawa’s position is that it opposes the use of coercion or force to unilaterally change the status quo of Taiwan.

The new Liberal candidate as of Wednesday was listed as honorary director of the Jiangsu Commerce Council of Canada (JCCC), a Toronto-headquartered organization founded in 2002 with clear ties to China’s United Front Work Department. The UFWD answers to the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s central committee and oversees Beijing’s influence, propaganda and intelligence operations inside and outside of China.

“I have built a great career committed to public service and have a track record of maintaining the health, safety and well-being of those in our community as Toronto’s former Deputy Police Chief. I’m ready to build a stronger community for the people of Markham-Unionville,” he said in an e-mailed response that was sent by the Liberal Party.

Liberal spokesperson Isabella Orozco-Madison said Mr. Yuen went through “a robust” vetting process by the party’s Green Light Committee before Mr. Carney named him the candidate to replace Mr. Chiang.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/poli...ang-linked-to/