Letter to the editor, The Globe and Mail, published June 18, 2005

Re: China's spies in Canada, June 17, 2005

The revelation that more than 1,000 Chinese spies are operating on Canadian soil should serve as a wake-up call for the Department of Foreign Affairs. Canada's "one China" policy, aimed at pleasing Beijing, deserves full reconsideration amid these troubling reports. Why does Canadian foreign policy kowtow to a country that operates spies on Canadian soil, that covered up its SARS outbreak and that commits human-rights abuses year after year?

Why does Canadian policy isolate Taiwan, a democratic nation that respects human rights and freedom of speech? By continuing to support a "one China" policy, Canada excuses the shameful conduct of the Chinese government.

Stan Lai,
Vice-President,
Formosan Association for Public Affairs Canada