The Foreign Interference Commission released a report on September 24, which provides a joint assessment by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Privy Council Office on how the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) influences Chinese-language media in Canada. The report, dated July 2023, highlights that CPC-friendly narratives dominate Chinese-language media in Canada, with censorship being pervasive and alternative voices being marginalized. This influence extends to both traditional outlets like newspapers and online platforms.
The report emphasizes that Beijing views control over overseas Chinese diaspora communities as crucial for its domestic stability and legitimacy. Given Canada’s large Chinese diaspora community of over 1.7 million people, it becomes a key target for Beijing’s influence efforts. By shaping public opinion within the diaspora community through Chinese-language media, Beijing can further its other activities such as transnational repression efforts and attempts to influence electoral outcomes.
One notable platform mentioned in the report is WeChat, developed by China-based Tencent. WeChat has become an important tool for disseminating information within the Chinese diaspora community in Canada.
It is worth mentioning that Chiu, who represented Richmond-Steveston in British Columbia, was defeated in the 2021 election with the Liberal candidate winning the seat.
this report sheds light on how the CPC exerts its influence through Chinese-language media in Canada and underscores its significance for shaping public opinion within the country’s large Chinese diaspora community.
