They criticized its policies with Uyghurs.. Details of Beijing's campaign against Canadian politicians of Chinese origin

Beijing is increasingly exerting its influence on Chinese diaspora communities around the world

A report published by the "New York Times" on Saturday highlighted Chinese efforts to penetrate diaspora communities in Canada and target Chinese-Canadian politicians who criticize Beijing, increasing concerns about its interference in Canadian politics.

Among the people targeted is Kenny Qiu, a Canadian member of Parliament and a prominent critic of China's human rights record.

The newspaper says that in 2021 opinion polls were indicating that Qiu would win a landslide victory in the elections and ensure his re-election for a new term.

But two weeks before the vote, Qiu panicked after things turned upside down among ethnic Chinese voters in his home province of British Columbia.

The voters were initially completely supportive of me, but suddenly they evaporated and disappeared,"says Qiu.

His supporters from China did not return phone calls, and campaign officials told him that many of his former voters had become unfriendly.

Local Chinese-language media also stopped covering news of his election campaign.

Finally, a coordinated campaign against him began to appear on the Chinese-owned and most popular application "WeChat" in the local community, from untraceable sources.

The sudden collapse of Qiu's campaign in the recent election is currently attracting more investigations amid growing evidence of Chinese interference in Canadian politics.

It quotes current and former elected officials, Canadian intelligence officials and experts on Chinese disinformation campaigns as saying that Qiu and many other elected officials who criticized Beijing's policy were targets of the Chinese authorities.

Beijing is increasingly exerting its influence on Chinese diaspora communities around the world as part of a fierce campaign to expand its global reach, they added.

Canada recently expelled a Chinese diplomat accused of plotting to intimidate Toronto-area MP Michael Chung after he successfully led efforts in Parliament to describe China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims as genocide.

The Canadian intelligence agency warned at least six current and former elected officials that Beijing had targeted them, including Jenny Kwan, a legislator from Vancouver and a critic of Beijing's policies in Hong Kong.

Experts say the Chinese government has clearly focused on Chinese Canadian elected officials representing areas in and around Vancouver and Toronto.

They assert that Beijing has taken advantage of the large numbers of expatriates with family and business ties to China, and has made sure that influential leaders in those communities stand by it, according to elected officials, Canadian intelligence officials and experts on Chinese disinformation.