[Cross-Strait] CCP's Cross-Border Suppression Fails: Zhang Xinyan Released in Thailand, Now Flying to Canada
RtiTalk 小編20d ago
Hong Kong Parliamentarian Zhang Xinyan, who had been accepted for resettlement by the Canadian government and was scheduled to fly from Bangkok to Vancouver on July 8th, was detained by Thai police at the last moment before boarding her flight. This incident was widely criticized as another case of China's cross-border suppression. However, the situation took a dramatic turn on the 3rd. Sheng Xue, a Canadian democracy activist who has been involved in Zhang Xinyan's rescue, posted on Facebook earlier that Zhang Xinyan is currently on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand, to Vancouver, Canada, and is expected to arrive safely in Canada in seven hours.
The Hong Kong Parliament is an autonomous parliament formed by the overseas Hong Kong community in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Some view it as a parliament-in-exile for Hong Kong. The first election for this parliament was held online in May last year, with all members sworn in that July. Zhang Xinyan is a member of the first session of this parliament.
Zhang Xinyan fled China years ago due to persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She arrived in Thailand in 2014 and was officially granted refugee status by the United Nations in 2016. While residing in Thailand, she continued to speak out for the freedom of Hong Kong people through daily online livestreams.
In fact, Sheng Xue had submitted Zhang Xinyan's asylum application to Global Affairs Canada in August last year. Unexpectedly, on May 7th this year, she was suddenly detained by Thai police on charges of overstaying her visa and working without a permit. Sheng Xue, along with "Hong Kong Parliament" initiators Yuan Gongyi and He Liangmao, immediately urged the Canadian government to provide emergency assistance. Canadian diplomats in Thailand quickly visited the immigration detention center to interview Zhang Xinyan, conduct medical examinations, and collect biometric data. Her flight itinerary from Bangkok to Vancouver on July 8th was confirmed, but she was intercepted and detained by Thai authorities at the last moment before boarding.
Zhang Xinyan not only received resettlement from the Canadian government but also held refugee status recognized by the UN Refugee Agency. Yet, she was still obstructed from traveling to Canada by Thai authorities, shocking human rights groups who denounced it as the CCP's cross-border suppression. This occurred particularly when the Thai Prime Minister was visiting China, raising concerns that Zhang Xinyan might become a "souvenir" for the Thai Prime Minister's trip to China.
Just two weeks ago, Zhang Xinyan managed to send a plea for help from the immigration detention center, alleging that there was no justice or law in Thailand, that everything was operated in a black box, and that Chinese consulate staff were monitoring and directing everything, watching her daily. She hoped this letter would reach Sheng Xue to save her quickly. Now, two weeks later, Zhang Xinyan has successfully boarded her flight to Canada and is about to reach a free country. Sheng Xue wrote on Facebook, "This time, the CCP's diplomatic hegemony and cross-border suppression have completely failed."
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=224031
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