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In a startling revelation, a man known as Eric, who spent 15 years as a spy for China’s Ministry of Public Security, has shared insights into his covert missions, including the surveillance of a prominent dissident in British Columbia. His disclosures, made during an interview in Australia, paint a troubling picture of the tactics utilized by the Chinese government to silence critics abroad, especially those who oppose the Chinese Communist Party.
Life as a spy: Eric’s journey
Eric’s journey into the world of espionage began not out of choice but necessity. Initially, he was an active member of the underground Social Democratic Party of China, fighting for democratic reforms. However, a visit from the police transformed his life, forcing him into the shadows of state-sponsored surveillance. Over the course of his career, Eric infiltrated various environments by assuming roles within legitimate companies abroad, masking his true purpose of gathering intelligence on dissidents.
Targets of the Chinese secret police
Throughout his time in the field, Eric was involved in tracking numerous individuals, including a Japanese cartoonist and a YouTuber based in Australia. His most significant assignment involved monitoring a well-known artist and vocal opponent of the Chinese government, Hua Yong, who eventually settled in British Columbia. Hua’s activism included organizing protests, which led to his imprisonment and subsequent exile.
By, Hua was living in Thailand, where he remained under the watchful eye of Chinese authorities. Eric’s task was clear: lure Hua to a country where he could be apprehended, specifically Cambodia or Laos—nations with strong ties to Beijing. This directive was conveyed through a series of encrypted messages that Eric meticulously preserved, detailing each step of his mission.
Manipulation and deception
Eric devised a complex plan to gain Hua’s trust. He created a fictitious anti-Communist rebel organization called the V Brigade. Through social media, he began engaging Hua in discussions about forming a resistance movement to oppose the Communist regime. This clever manipulation culminated in a staged video in which Eric, donning a mask and camouflage, advocated for armed struggle. Hua’s enthusiastic response further solidified their bond.
The unraveling of connections
However, the operation took a turn when Chinese authorities lost track of Hua in early April. Eric reported possible sightings of Hua in various countries, including Turkey and Paris. Finally, Hua announced on social media that he had made it to Canada, inviting Eric to join him as a spokesperson for his newly formed revolutionary group. Instead, Eric was ordered to return to China, instructed to keep a distant watch on his target.
After relocating to Gibsons, B.C, Hua embraced a quieter life, engaging in local activities like crab fishing and kayaking. But his peace was short-lived. In November, Hua tragically disappeared during a kayaking excursion. His body was eventually recovered, but authorities found no evidence of foul play at the time.
Suspicion and investigation
Despite the initial conclusions, the circumstances surrounding Hua’s death raised suspicions among his friends and fellow dissidents. Li Jianfeng, a former judge in China who aided Hua’s escape to Canada, expressed his belief that Hua’s death was orchestrated, echoing the methods employed by the Chinese Communist Party to eliminate perceived threats. Li compiled evidence and shared his findings with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
Former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, emphasized that the possibility of foul play should not be dismissed, given the regime’s notorious reputation for ruthlessness. Eric, reflecting on his experiences, suggested that multiple informants likely monitored Hua’s actions in Canada, indicating a persistent threat from Chinese operatives.
Eric’s escape and the ongoing investigation
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to flee China, Eric finally managed to escape in. Although his initial goal was to seek asylum in Canada, he ultimately arrived in Australia due to a tourist visa. He believes that disclosing his experiences and the inner workings of the Chinese secret police may provide him with some level of protection.
As the investigation into Hua’s death remains open, questions linger about the extent of foreign interference and the reach of Chinese operatives in Canada. Eric hopes that by revealing this troubling narrative, he can shed light on the ongoing threats faced by dissidents and advocate for a deeper inquiry into the matter.