Dear Editor,
Recent media reports indicate that Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) is planning to give a red-carpet treatment to lobbyists from China, as the Chinese government will be contributing $6,000 for sponsorship of its convention in September. This is very inappropriate.
Since Meng Wanzhou’s arrest and detention at YVR, China’s attitude towards Canada has been nothing but hostile.
Two Canadians are suffering in Chinese jails without any reason. On top of that, China is punishing our farmers by not accepting our canola and pork.
Here, we have UBCM, a well-respected provincial body of our municipal governments, giving the Chinese lobbyists the red–carpet treatment at its upcoming convention in September.
I commend our media and Port Coquitlam mayor Brad West for highlighting this issue. UBCM should have a second look at this arrangement. It should decline to accept any money from the Chinese government. In view of the current situation, China does not deserve the red-carpet treatment. UBCM should put a stop to it immediately.
Balwant Sanghera
RICHMOND
