Bob Mackin
A video on WeChat shows British Columbia’s highest-profile foreign diplomat — who represents Canada’s biggest adversary — breaking the news of his departure to supporters of the Chinese Communist government.
People’s Republic of China Consul-General Yang Shu addressed the sombre room of Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations (CACA) leaders in Richmond. CACA is an umbrella group for more than 100 pro-China business and cultural societies in B.C.
Seated with former chair Chen Yongtao to his right and current chair Chu Yuanzheng to his left, Yang spoke in Mandarin and encouraged them to be “civilian ambassadors.”
Who’s there
Also in attendance: “dollar store king” Johnny Fong, Dawa News publisher Zaixin Ma, ex-CACA chair Xue Xiaomei and ex-vice chair Maria Xu. Yang was accompanied by staff from the consulate, including Chen Qingjie, director for the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, which runs activities for the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) United Front propaganda and influence program.
The video appears to have been shot five days before Yang’s Aug. 2 farewell letter on the consulate website.
What Hogue said
In the final report of the Foreign Interference public inquiry, Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue said China relies on proxies, individuals and organizations so that it can be “the most active perpetrator of foreign interference targeting Canada’s democratic institutions. The PRC views Canada as a high-priority target.”
Who’s next
Zhi Zeng, the vice-consul general, made his first appearance Aug. 3 as the acting consul general during a tribute banquet to Norman Bethune, the late Canadian doctor that Mao Zedong hailed as a revolutionary hero.
Expect whoever becomes Yang’s permanent replacement to exploit the Canada-U.S. trade war for the CCP’s gain.
Global Affairs Canada’s May 2025 directory showed 24 diplomats stationed at the Vancouver Chinese consulate. By comparison, the United States had 17 diplomats.
The directory did not list support staff or contractors.
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