A Canadian magazine supported its decision to publish a piece written by China's Ambassador. The article discussed tea and praised Chinese President Xi.. Canada/China flags .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Ottawa Life published it after Canada expelled a Chinese spy and evidence of threats against an MP was presented to a Commons committee..“Tea is a symbol of cultural exchange among countries,” wrote Ambassador Cong Peiwu. The article was published in observance of International Tea Day on May 21 and republished with approval by the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa. .“Tea has artistic and cultural value,” said Cong..“In March this year, President Xi Jinping proposed the global civilization initiative emphasizing that all countries should promote the prosperity and progress of civilization with an attitude of equality, openness and inclusiveness,” wrote Cong. .“Just like enjoying tea, let us embrace the spirit of harmony among diversity, mutual respect and mutual learning to advance the common interests of all.”.The article followed the May 8 expulsion of Zhao Wei, a staffer at China’s consulate in Toronto, over harassment targeting Hong Kong relatives of Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON). .The publication also followed Chong’s May 16 testimony at the House Affairs committee on “threats sent to me regarding the People’s Republic of China and my travel outside the country.”.Ottawa Life publisher Dan Donovan defended the article. .“It is relevant to report that despite all the political friction, business as usual is happening,” said Donovan..“No, this was not a paid ad. It is an op-ed. We do not charge a fee for op-eds. Like most magazine publications, if we are approached to publish an op-ed, we make a determination and then decide to run it or not.”.“We make decisions every day about what is suitable content and believe in a free press we get to determine what is relevant for our publication and what is not,” said Donovan. .“International Tea Day is an important event.”.In the last two years, Ottawa Life magazine received $36,571 in grants from the Canadian Heritage department. .Donovan confirmed that the magazine also benefited from a media bailout approved by Parliament in 2019, which provided the magazine with a 25% rebate on their payroll expenses..The tea article was called “Enjoying Tea, Promoting Cultural Exchange and Mutual Learning and Striving for Common Development.” .The article did not mention any reported secret or undercover activities conducted by Chinese agents in Canada..In previous statements, Cong claimed that the Canadian media's coverage of China was inaccurate..“People continue to smear and stigmatize China, attack China’s political system and paint a bleak picture of China-Canada relations,” Cong said in a 2020 speech to the Canada-China Friendship Society. .“Some Canadian media out of the motive to seek attention distort the truth about China, which has misled the Canadian public.”.Cong in 2021 also denounced as “lies of the century” any protest over human rights atrocities in China. .“The so-called genocide, these kinds of claims, I’d like to point out once again are just lies of the century,” Cong said..Cong's comments came after the House of Commons adopted a motion on Feb. 22 which condemned China for genocide. Chong sponsored the motion.
A Canadian magazine supported its decision to publish a piece written by China's Ambassador. The article discussed tea and praised Chinese President Xi.. Canada/China flags .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Ottawa Life published it after Canada expelled a Chinese spy and evidence of threats against an MP was presented to a Commons committee..“Tea is a symbol of cultural exchange among countries,” wrote Ambassador Cong Peiwu. The article was published in observance of International Tea Day on May 21 and republished with approval by the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa. .“Tea has artistic and cultural value,” said Cong..“In March this year, President Xi Jinping proposed the global civilization initiative emphasizing that all countries should promote the prosperity and progress of civilization with an attitude of equality, openness and inclusiveness,” wrote Cong. .“Just like enjoying tea, let us embrace the spirit of harmony among diversity, mutual respect and mutual learning to advance the common interests of all.”.The article followed the May 8 expulsion of Zhao Wei, a staffer at China’s consulate in Toronto, over harassment targeting Hong Kong relatives of Conservative MP Michael Chong (Wellington-Halton Hills, ON). .The publication also followed Chong’s May 16 testimony at the House Affairs committee on “threats sent to me regarding the People’s Republic of China and my travel outside the country.”.Ottawa Life publisher Dan Donovan defended the article. .“It is relevant to report that despite all the political friction, business as usual is happening,” said Donovan..“No, this was not a paid ad. It is an op-ed. We do not charge a fee for op-eds. Like most magazine publications, if we are approached to publish an op-ed, we make a determination and then decide to run it or not.”.“We make decisions every day about what is suitable content and believe in a free press we get to determine what is relevant for our publication and what is not,” said Donovan. .“International Tea Day is an important event.”.In the last two years, Ottawa Life magazine received $36,571 in grants from the Canadian Heritage department. .Donovan confirmed that the magazine also benefited from a media bailout approved by Parliament in 2019, which provided the magazine with a 25% rebate on their payroll expenses..The tea article was called “Enjoying Tea, Promoting Cultural Exchange and Mutual Learning and Striving for Common Development.” .The article did not mention any reported secret or undercover activities conducted by Chinese agents in Canada..In previous statements, Cong claimed that the Canadian media's coverage of China was inaccurate..“People continue to smear and stigmatize China, attack China’s political system and paint a bleak picture of China-Canada relations,” Cong said in a 2020 speech to the Canada-China Friendship Society. .“Some Canadian media out of the motive to seek attention distort the truth about China, which has misled the Canadian public.”.Cong in 2021 also denounced as “lies of the century” any protest over human rights atrocities in China. .“The so-called genocide, these kinds of claims, I’d like to point out once again are just lies of the century,” Cong said..Cong's comments came after the House of Commons adopted a motion on Feb. 22 which condemned China for genocide. Chong sponsored the motion.
