During the 2021 federal election, two Chinese media outlets based in Ontario that targeted former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu were found to have close ties to the Beijing regime, according to a foreign interference inquiry report.
The interim report published by the foreign interference commission on May 3 revealed that Canadian intelligence identified 105.9 Yes My Radio and CGCTV as having connections to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government or state media.
The report highlighted how these media outlets portrayed Mr. Chiu’s proposed legislation for a foreign influence registry as “racist and anti-China.” Mr. Chiu’s bill, C-282, aimed to increase transparency in lobbying for foreign states and entities without singling out any specific country. He stated that the legislation would safeguard the diaspora from hostile foreign forces. Mr. Chiu lost his seat in the 2021 election in the B.C. riding of Steveston–Richmond East.
The interim report detailed that Yes My Radio, a Chinese-language radio station in Markham, Ont., posted an anonymous blog article on Sept. 6, 2021, urging readers to take notice of Kenny Chiu’s “Foreign Interference Registry.” The blog insinuated that individuals or groups with ties to China could be labeled as Chinese spokespersons and required to register.
On Sept. 8, 2021, Global Chinese Convergence Media (CGCTV) in Markham shared a modified version of the blog post from Yes My Radio, suggesting that Mr. Chiu’s “anti-China” stance was influenced by his Hong Kong background.
The Communist Party of China (CCP) has been known to manipulate global media to shape the narrative about the regime and suppress dissent. According to a U.S. State Department report, the CCP utilizes state-owned or -operated media outlets and controlled institutes like the Confucius Institute strategically placed in the U.S. and other countries to promote its ideological narratives.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has also warned about CCP’s influence over social media platforms like WeChat. The agency highlighted Beijing’s attempt to position itself as the voice of all Chinese people worldwide and control public discourse on China-related matters.
“The PRC uses its control and influence over Chinese language media and social media applications as a means of asserting influence over the Chinese diaspora,” stated the CSIS report submitted to the Foreign Interference Commission.
Control Through Chinese Consulate
Victor Ho, a China analyst and former chief editor of Sing Tao Daily, mentioned in a previous interview with The Epoch Times that the CCP exploits different types of media outlets to exert influence abroad. These include overseas extensions of Chinese state media, Hong Kong-influenced outlets, and overseas media aligned with Beijing.
Yes My Radio and CGCTV were involved in various activities alongside the Chinese consulate in Toronto.
On Nov. 22, 2020, Yes My Radio and the Chinese consulate co-hosted a youth speech competition related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Former Consul General Han Tao praised those opposing “anti-Asian racism” and discussed the CCP’s global ideological agenda during the event.
Before leaving his position, Consul General Han held a farewell meeting at his residence, attended by a representative from Yes My Radio and other cultural and sports leaders.
The official website of Yes My Radio has been closed since. The Epoch Times reached out to its affiliated Chinese-language television channel, Charming China, for comment but did not receive a response.
In a report dated Jan. 18, 2023, CGCTV founder Wang Ruijun visited the Chinese consulate in Toronto with representatives from a Chinese-language media association. The report included a photo of Mr. Wang with Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat expelled from Canada in May 2023 due to interference activities targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong and his family.
The Epoch Times tried to contact Mr. Wang using a phone number found online but discovered that the number had been deactivated.
