Canada moves to deport Chinese community leader over alleged war crimes

The Canada Border Services Agency has launched deportation proceedings against Rong Xiang Yuan, a Chinese-born activist who founded the Canada-China Association for Promoting Friendly Relations and donated to the Liberal Party. The agency alleges that Yuan committed crimes against humanity while serving in the People’s Liberation Army during the 1980s Sino-Vietnamese war and that he concealed this service on his immigration paperwork, which led to his permanent-resident status in 2008.

An Immigration and Refugee Board referral has been filed under sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that cover war crimes and misrepresentation, though a hearing date remains pending. Yuan’s lawyer maintains he was merely wounded in the conflict, never charged with war crimes, and has had no military ties since his 1991 discharge. In addition, Yuan is confronting provincial charges for dangerous operation of a vehicle, a recent arrest for refusing a roadside demand, and a provincial tax lien of $507,000 on his Fraser Valley property. The case highlights concerns about immigration screening and the political access of non-citizens accused of serious offenses.