Canada MP resigns from government over China allegations
A Canadian MP linked in media reports to alleged Chinese influence operations in the country, has resigned from the caucus of the ruling Liberal Party.
Han Dong, who represents Don Valley North in the House of Commons, made the announcement in a brief statement in Parliament on Wednesday evening. “I have informed the prime minister and the leadership of the Liberal Party caucus that I will be sitting as an Independent at the conclusion of these remarks,” he said.
Earlier in the day the outlet Global News reported that two national security sources had said that the MP had spoken to a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 and allegedly advised that Beijing delay the freeing of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
In September that year, the two Michaels were released by China after almost 1000 days in captivity. They had been arrested in December 2018 soon after senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was taken into custody in Vancouver. The Michaels were released just as she was also allowed to leave the country.
Dong refuted the report in his statement: “Let me be clear – what has been reported in false and I will defend myself against these absolutely untrue claims,” he said.
Earlier, Global News cited a spokesperson for the PMO as saying that at no time was the MP used as a ‘back channel’ with China. Dong asserted he had sought the “immediate release” of the two Michaels.
He featured in reports recently, as the same outlet had reported, based again on national security sources, that Han Dong was part of a “Chinese foreign interference network” in Canada. He had dismissed those allegations.
Trudeau had defended the MP at the time, as he said, “Han Dong is an outstanding member of our team and suggestions he is somehow not loyal to Canada should not be entertained.”
Dong’s resignation from the Liberal caucus comes as pressure mounts on the Trudeau’s Government following a series of reports in Canadian media over alleged Chinese interference in the 2019 and 2021 Federal elections.