International Courant
TAIPEI – A Chinese language activist who fled to Taiwan final month and urged the self-ruled island to not deport him stated Sunday he had arrived in Canada and been granted political asylum.
Mr Chen Siming stated final month on X, previously Twitter, that he had fled China in July and arrived in Taiwan two months later. He urged Taiwanese authorities to not ship him again as a result of he was in search of political asylum in america or Canada.
Self-ruled Taiwan has restrictions on vacationers from China – which considers the island its territory – so Chen couldn’t enter the nation. He posted on X from the transit space of Taipei Worldwide Airport.
Mr. Chen stated in his final message that he arrived in Vancouver on Thursday.
“I’ve efficiently obtained political asylum in Canada,” he stated, thanking human rights organizations, in addition to the governments of Taiwan and Canada, and the U.N. refugee company.
“This kindness… won’t ever be forgotten,” he stated.
A Canadian nationwide flag could be seen within the background of one of many two selfie images Chen posted along with his submit.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which manages relations with Beijing, confirmed that Mr Chen was not in Taiwan.
AFP has not independently verified Mr Chen’s account.
The activist, based mostly in China’s southern Hunan province, had vocally supported protesters in Hong Kong in 2019 when the town was gripped by mass demonstrations calling for better autonomy from Beijing.
In keeping with Radio Free Asia (RFA), Mr Chen traveled to Laos after leaving China in July earlier than getting into Thailand.
Nonetheless, apprehensive about being despatched to immigration jail in Thailand — a rustic with a observe file of deporting dissidents — he purchased a return ticket to China through Taiwan, RFA stated.
Two Chinese language dissidents had been held at Taiwan’s airport for greater than 4 months after fleeing China in 2019.
Immigration officers refused to grant them entry as a result of they didn’t have legitimate visas, however the Democratic authorities was additionally reluctant to deport them.
After 125 days, they got momentary lodging outdoors the airport and have since left for Canada, the place each had been granted asylum standing. AFP
Chinese language activist says he will probably be granted political asylum in Canada after pleading for transit by Taiwan
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