Hong Kong Watch condemns Canadian politician Paul Chiang for dangerous bounty call

Canadian politician Paul Chiang, the incumbent candidate for Markham-Unionville ​​in the upcoming 2025 federal election on 28 April, made alarming remarks suggesting that Joe Tay – a Canadian citizen and prominent pro-democracy broadcaster for “Hong Kong Station” – should be handed over to the Chinese Consulate in Toronto to claim a HK$1 million reward issued by the Hong Kong police. 

During a 22 January 2025 press conference reported by MingPao (Toronto Edition), Chiang stated, “Anyone here can claim the one-million-dollar bounty if you bring him to the Chinese Consulate in Toronto,” targeting Tay, a veteran advocate for democracy and outspoken critic of Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong. This statement is particularly concerning within the Markham-Unionville constituency, which has a significant population of ethnic Chinese and Hong Kong Canadians, constituting over 65% of the community, and where Chiang stands as a Liberal candidate. Such comments from Chiang represent a dangerous endorsement of transnational repression and undermine fundamental democratic principles.

Hong Kong Watch has condemned these remarks, highlighting the severe implications of encouraging individuals to betray fellow citizens for monetary rewards, thereby fostering a climate of fear and repression among activists.

Katherine Leung, Policy Advisor at Hong Kong Watch, stated: “We cannot allow a Member of Parliament or candidate to engage in transnational repression. Hong Kongers who fled a brutal regime in search of a peaceful life in Canada are now facing threats of being handed over to the Chinese embassy or secret police stations on Canadian soil. Urgent action must be taken by Prime Minister Mark Carney and the RCMP to ensure the safety of Canadian citizens.”

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, previously condemned the bounties issued by Hong Kong authorities in December 2024, asserting, “This attempt by Hong Kong authorities to conduct transnational repression abroad, including by issuing threats, intimidation or coercion against Canadians or those in Canada, will not be tolerated.” 

Chiang’s remarks have ignited widespread outrage, particularly as reports emerge of neighbours of Hong Kong activists in the UK and Australia receiving reward letters of HK$1 million for turning them to local Chinese embassies.

Hong Kong Watch urges the Canadian government to investigate Chiang’s comments and reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding its citizens from foreign interference and intimidation. We call on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to take measures to protect Hong Kong Canadians targeted by such bounties.

香港監察譴責國會議員蔣振宇呼籲送國會候選人鄭敬基到中領館 促請加政府全面調查

將代表加拿大Markham-Unionville選區參與2025年4月28日聯邦大選的現任國會議員候選人蔣振宇（Paul Chiang），建議將加拿大公民、知名民主派人士兼「香港台」主持人鄭敬基移送到中國駐多倫多領事館，以領取香港警方發出的100萬港元懸紅賞金。

根據多倫多《明報》報導，蔣振宇在2025年1月22日舉行的新聞發布會上針對鄭敬基指：「任何人只需把他帶到中國駐多倫多領事館，就可以領取一百萬港元賞金」。鄭敬基為資深民主倡議者，曾直言不諱地批評北京對香港的所作所為。這項聲明對Markham-Unionville選區的影響尤其令人擔憂，大量華裔和港裔加拿大人住在該區，佔整體人口的65%以上，而蔣振宇為該區的自由黨候選人。蔣振宇的言論是對跨國鎮壓的危險認可，並破壞基本的民主原則。

香港監察譴責這些言論，並強調鼓勵他人為了金錢報酬而出賣加國公民後果嚴重，對社運人士營造出恐懼和壓抑的環境。

香港監察加拿大政策顧問Katherine Leung表示：「我們不能容許國會議員或候選人參與跨國鎮壓。香港人逃離殘暴政權，來到加拿大尋求和平的生活，卻正面臨被送往加拿大中國大使館或秘密警察站的威脅。加拿大總理卡尼（Mark Carney）和加拿大皇家騎警必須採取緊急行動，確保加拿大公民的安全。」

加拿大外交部長趙美蘭（Mélanie Joly）早前曾譴責香港當局於2024年12月發出的懸紅通緝令，並強調：「香港當局企圖在海外施行跨國鎮壓的行為不能容忍，包括對加拿大人或身處加拿大的人施加威脅、恐嚇或威逼。」

蔣振宇的言論激起廣大民眾的憤怒，尤其是近日傳媒接二連三報導，在英國和澳洲有匿名信件鼓勵當地居民送香港社運人士到中國大使館以獲取100萬港元賞金。

香港監察呼籲加拿大政府調查蔣振宇的言論，並重申他們願意保護其公民免受外國干預和恐嚇的承諾。我們呼籲加拿大皇家騎警（RCMP）採取措施保護被懸紅通緝的加拿大香港人。