Letter to the editor, National Post, published April 21, 2006

Re: MacKay vows to crack down on Chinese stealing high-tech secrets, Apr. 17, 2006

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay recently expressed concerns about economic espionage activities by China. These remarks were condemned as "groundless and irresponsible" by the Chinese government.

But why should the Canadian public take anything that China says seriously? That country denied the gravity of its SARS outbreak in 2003, and this cover-up contributed to the virus to spread to other parts of the world with devastating effects. China has also reneged on its promise to grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong. And let's not forget China is threatening the democratic nation of Taiwan with more than 800 missiles.

Canadians should be concerned that there are reportedly 1,000 Chinese spies in Canada. Mr. MacKay must not tolerate this infringement upon Canadian sovereignty.

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