Calgary's Chinese Consulate Threatens Tourism Calgary

[HotHotHeat]

A traditional Chinese dance troupe scheduled to perform in Calgary says it is being snubbed by tourism agencies in Alberta after pressure from the Chinese consulate.

The Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular, based in New York, is made up of expatriate Chinese performers whose touring show includes a live orchestra and dramatizations of Chinese legends. Their performances also touch on human rights issues and religious freedoms.

"Travel Alberta and Tourism Calgary were going to support the show as sponsors and we received notice just a couple of weeks ago that they were contacted by the Chinese consul general and apparently threatened that if they supported the show, it would damage their business relations with China," she said.

"Basically wherever we've gone, either the consulate or the embassy, depending on what's in the city, would contact the media in the local cities, the government, the theatre and even ambassadors of other countries and warn them not to come to the show," he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/sto...?ref=rss#postc


China's foreign policy is wack. If they are to become a world superpower in the coming years, this communist BS towards public perception has to stop.

At least that's my opinion. It's sad that our local businesses are bowing to the wishes of this nation.

[Iggy's Forehead]

Especially when that nation is in violation of numerous human rights. Money talks, and it's much louder than morality and justice.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

"Basically wherever we've gone, either the consulate or the embassy, depending on what's in the city, would contact the media in the local cities, the government, the theatre and even ambassadors of other countries and warn them not to come to the show," he said.

If this is true, the Chinese government is messing with freedom of the press in Calgary.

What they say to diplomatic circles or communicate to government agencies is one thing, but "warning" the media not to cover this event (or anything else) is unacceptable.

Eff Off China.

[browna]

Send in Jack Bauer!

Everytime I drive by the Chinese Consulate on 6 Ave, I think about that season of 24.

[Aeneas]

Stop buying their products! Good luck but it can be done.

[Iggy's Forehead]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Stop buying their products! Good luck but it can be done.

It really can't be done, not anytime soon.

[icarus]

This dance troupe recently performed in Sydney and you could not walk down the street, leave a train station, or shop in a mall without some promo person dressed in traditional garb and carrying a sign coming up to you and trying to hand you a pamphlet. I'm not going to go as far as the Chinese government and start a boycott, but damn it was annoying.

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by browna

Send in Jack Bauer!

Everytime I drive by the Chinese Consulate on 6 Ave, I think about that season of 24.

Haha me too!

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Iggy's Forehead

It really can't be done, not anytime soon.

There was an article in the paper (please don't ask for a link, I am not into searching!) about a family that went one full year without purchasing anything Made In China.

Not saying go all the way like that, but if enough people make the effort to find alternatives; albeit more expensive ones, a difference can be made.

[Ayrahb]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

There was an article in the paper (please don't ask for a link, I am not into searching!) about a family that went one full year without purchasing anything Made In China.

Not saying go all the way like that, but if enough people make the effort to find alternatives; albeit more expensive ones, a difference can be made.

The problem is that the label may say Made in Thailand, Poland, or Japan, but what about the product components/materials. Melamine-contaminated wheat gluten imported from China for pet food made in N. America comes to mind.

[mykalberta]

If shows want to come and preform they should be able to financially support themselves through ticket sales. We shouldnt have government organizations supporting some person's personal views on a particular issue with our tax dollars IMO

[Locke]

This seems fairly par for the course.

[Azure]

Yep, gotta start boycotting China.

The stuff they make can also be made in India or Japan.

Or any Asian countries for that matter.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Iggy's Forehead

It really can't be done, not anytime soon.

It can't be completely done, but it is possible to dramatically reduce how much Made In China crap we buy. I've started checking labels, and I've found it's quite often possible to find a more than suitable alternative product. In fact, I was buying a pair of shoes this winter and when I started checking the "Made In" info I found that I had an option of three different countries of origin with the exact same shoe ... China, Canada and Mexico. Needless to say, I bought the Made In Canada pair.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

If shows want to come and preform they should be able to financially support themselves through ticket sales. We shouldnt have government organizations supporting some person's personal views on a particular issue with our tax dollars IMO

Nor should we have Chinese diplomats trying to influence our media though threats.

[troutman]

My little china girl
You shouldnt mess with me
Ill ruin everything you are
Ill give you television
Ill give you eyes of blue
Ill give you men who want to rule the world

And when I get excited
My little china girl says
Oh baby just you shut your mouth
She says ... sh

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

If shows want to come and preform they should be able to financially support themselves through ticket sales. We shouldnt have government organizations supporting some person's personal views on a particular issue with our tax dollars IMO

I don't know where tax dollars are supporting this show. Travel Alberta and Tourism Calgary are in the business of generating tourism dollars for the Province/City, not spending our money supporting causes.

[TheDragon]

In my opinion, go right the **** ahead, China.

Although, this kind of censorship probably happens all the time. Freedom of Speech/Expression has got one foot in the grave and the other about to step on a banana peel.

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by Azure

Yep, gotta start boycotting China.

The stuff they make can also be made in India or Japan.

Or any Asian countries for that matter.

I don't think Japan has been terrorizing people since Manchuria and WWII. Not sure what human rights abuses or market flooding products India is accused of.

Just saying everyone who wants to should put their money where their mouths are and make an effort to not purchase Chinese products. In fact try to buy Canadian or North American if you can.

Real easy to say it's hard, it's impossible. Could counter that easy with many things worth doing are hard.

Also easy to pick out individual products and show how it is difficult to do a 100% boycott because one ingredient is from China.

Next time you are in a Wal Mart for example, check out how many items are from China. Maybe try not to support WalMart for a month. There are alternatives, maybe it costs more, but perhaps it is worth it in the end.

[RW99]

There's a certain travel status China has for various countries. I can't remember the name of it right now, but Canada is the only remaining major player not to have it. China is emerging as a key market for Canadian tourism and there's definitely some pressure on the tourism bureaus to play nice.