“I’m happier than anyone to see ADS (being signed),” Lai Changxing told the Chinese media in Vancouver on Dec 3.

The rationale behind his “happiness“, Lai said, was because it had always been rumoured that his staying in Canada was the biggest obstacle for China not granting the ADS for so long.

“Now it shows I wasn’t in between the two countries on this,” said Lai. He’s glad to see that China and Canada now separate his case with ADS.

He urged reporters that next time when they see any Chinese officials, tell them that Lai “congratulates China and Canada on the ADS from the bottom of his heart.”

On the other hand, Lai said his autobiography will be completely by year-end and will go to publication in January 2010 “somewhere in Asia.” He declined to disclose where exactly will the autobiography be released.

Lai said the book will be titled “Lai Changxing talks about Lai Changxing” (賴昌星說賴昌星). He said he will talk about his struggle off poverty and the “real story” behind many accusations against him.

His autobiographer also wishes to write about Lai’s many women, he said. Lai said the book will “talk a little on this topic, not much.”

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Lai once said he loved playing the PSP. (file)

CIV – Lai Changxing has broken silence since his ex-wife Tsang Ming Na returned to China a few months ago.

He understands that Tsang has been treated well in China, Lai told OMNI TV.

Asked if that would encourage him to negotiate a deal with China, Lai said “I still don’t believe them (Chinese gov).”

“Actually it was the people who investigate the case (Yuan Hua) whom I don’t believe in, not the nation’s leaders,” he added. “The Chinese leaders are actually misled by the investigators.”

He has always admitted that he was involved in bribery and tax evasion, but he maintained that that was the default way of doing business in China back then. He had no choice.

“Many of what I did was in fact what some government department heads told me to,” he said in the latest interview. “Of course, when things went wrong (Yuan Hua), these people disappeared. So what do you think I can make my case if they (China) try me? How could I explain (without these people coming forward to be witnesses)?”

He emphasized that Tsang has nothing to do with his business, and his case is very different from Tsang’s.

Lai said he’s been keeping contacts with her ex-wife and daughter, who are now leading “quite a good life” in China.

He said he would consider negotiating a deal with China to return one day if “the time is right.”

“But those who do the investigation are still there, and I don’t believe them,” he said. “I believe the judicial system of the country (China) will be improved year after year. But as long as the Yuan Hua investigators are still in power, no, it’s not the time (to return).”

He said he has landed a job with a friend who owns a real estate business in Vancouver. “I hope I could join the company and be a partner some time,” he smiled, ending the interview.

CIC minister Jason Kenney told Ming Pao on Sunday that as Tsang is not a Canadian citizen, CIC wouldn’t follow up with her whereabouts or well-doing after she left the country.

Kenney said Tsang wanted to return and she worked out some arrangement with the Chinese gov. But Canada has played no role in it.

Kenney said he’s happy to see if Lai Changxing would consider returning to China, but Canada wouldn’t ask him to do so.

Lai is still awaiting results of his second pre-removal assessment, which has been going on for almost 2 years.

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There has been a long article circulated on the internet lately claiming to have done an “exclusive” interview with Chinese fugitive Lai Changxing “lately”. The article is in Chinese and and is first published in “Hua Shangbao”.

This is what the article says in brief:

After 10 years of exile in Canada, China’s fugitive Lai Changxing told Chinese media his desire to return home in Vancouver. Lai, who acknowledged his crimes, was willing to face jail and fines. He also told media how he smuggled fuel oil and cigarettes, adding that he would accept it if Canada decided to deport him finally after all court proceedings.

The article first appeared on Aug 5, 20009, one day after the media in Vancouver broke the news that Tsang Ming Na, Lai’s ex-wife, has voluntarily returned to China with their daughter. It since spread like BC wildfires and within hours, HK’s major news outlets such as Ta Kung, Wen Wei etc reproduced the same angle without trying to confirm its authenticity.

I was working late on the night of Aug 5 when I read about the article. Since the tone of Lai Changxing in that article differed extremely with what we’ve known of Lai, and also it was entirely opposite to what Lai’s lawyer David Matas told us earlier in the day, I had huge doubt about the authenticity of this article. Another doubt is that “Hua Shangbao” is a local paper published in Shaanxi, and it’s hard to convince me they’d have a “special correspondent” working for them in Vancouver as the article claimed to have. Another suspicious point was that the article claimed to do the “exclusive interview” with Lai “lately”. As people working in the news industry, it’s hard to imagine if someone had got something that shocking out of Lai’s mouth, they wouldn’t publish it right away. Why wait until someone else broke the news about Tsang’s leaving?

As a result, we had a couple of reporters checking out how true the content might be. As the article claimed that it was written by a reporter in Vancouver whom happens to be someone we know, our reporters checked with him and confirmed that he hadn’t written for “Hua Shangbao” lately.

He said the article used stuff he wrote for his employer in Vancouver at least two months ago. However, even in that original article, Lai didn’t say he didn’t mind going back to China. What Lai meant was that he’s left home for so long that he was a little home sick. He wished that one day, “when everything is settled, that I would be able to go back (to China) to have a look before I die.”

Obviously, it’s completely different from saying he’s willing to go back the same way his ex-wife did. Also, we found that the 3000-word article had pieced together several older articles elsewhere. As a result, we did not use the article. Instead, we wrote a piece disputing the authenticity of the article.

Unfortunately, our small voice didn’t attract as much media attention than the fabricated one. I’m writing this post hoping someone out there would refrain from believing in something which is not true.

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Ignatieff beat PMO in having sent out a press release today that he will visit China in September 2009 — in both official languages and in Chinese. PMO only released a photo (BTW, please take a look at Cannon’s white socks + black shoes OMG).

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to visit China

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff announced today that he has accepted an invitation from the Government of the People’s Republic of China to visit in early September 2009.

“Strengthening Canada’s relationship with China opens doors to greater opportunities for trade and cooperation on key global issues,” said Mr. Ignatieff.  “I look forward to developing a greater understanding of China and its culture through my visit.”

The announcement comes following a meeting between Mr. Ignatieff and China’s Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, earlier today in Ottawa.

自由黨黨領葉禮庭將應邀出訪中國

自由黨黨領葉禮庭（Michael Ignatieff）今天宣佈，他已接受中華人民共和國政府的邀請，將於今年九月初訪問中國。

葉禮庭說：「加強加中兩國的紐帶關係將為雙邊貿易創造更大的發展機會，又可以加深兩國間在關鍵性全球問題上的合作。我期望通過此次訪問，進一步加深對中國和中國文化的瞭解。」

今天早些時候葉禮庭與到訪的中國外長楊潔篪在渥太華舉行會談。會談後，葉禮庭作出上述應邀出訪宣佈。

But what’s really worth noting isn’t in official words spoken by Yang Jiechi nor Lawrence Cannon. The real stuff was those said by former ambassador Mei Ping (梅平) in Vancouver yesterday.

Speaking to the Chinese media (story in Chinese), Mei was blunt to say that Canadians shouldn’t expect too much concret outcome from Yang’s official visit, hinting Canada is still on China’s watching list.

Mei answered sensitive questions on Falun Gong, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and the Dalai Lama, and fugitive Lai Changxing. When asked about the forever delay of the signing of the ADS (approved destination status) with Canada, Mei was straightforward. He said: “If you want ADS, then you should return Lai Changxing to us.”

“If he (Lai) can go back (to China) tomorrow, we’ll give you ADS the day after tomorrow.”

Mei stressed that China didn’t want to link Lai Changixng with ADS. However, if Canada couldn’t clear the Lai case, China predicts there will be more economic fugitive seeking refuge in Canada. Mei said as far as he knows, half of the 40-50 fugitives listed under China’s public safety bureau are hiding in Canada right now. “It makes the Lai case a landmark in treating the problem.”

“The reason I stayed in Canada (as ambassador) for 6.5 years (between 1998 and 2005) was to wait to take Lai Changxing back to China with me,” Mei said. “But it didn’t happen.”

He also said Canada has in fact agreed to deport Lai Changxing but was stuck in our flawed judicial system that allows criminals with money to make indefinite appeals.

Mei said the current relationship between Canada and China has improved since the two heads of state met last year, however Canada hasn’t made a step big enough to warrant real, fruitful bilateral advances.

As the Dalai Lama will visit Canada in September again, Mei warned that if this isn’t handled carefully, the small progress in bettering Canada-China relation “will be destroyed completely.”

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CIV file.

Lai Changxing has broken silence on the recent Internet hype about a blogger implicating to be him writing articles. He denied he has been writing anything online and said he even didn’t know how to type. And he made note that smuggling is illegal but what he did in the past wasn’t smuggling.

When reached at the phone yesterday and asked about whether he’s been blogging, Lai was confused at first and didn’t sound to understand what blog is.

“What are you talking about? Blog? I don’t understand.”

He asked a friend by his side at the time, who explained to him blogging is that people write articles and others leave comments.

“I don’t write any blog. I don’t have any website. I have not written anything. I don’t know where are these come from. That’s strange.”

However, he said he wouldn’t be surprised that people are doing things using his name. “There are lots of people out there posing as me.”

Lai was then very concerned what this blogger has been writing. When told there was a post talking about smuggling being not illegal, he rejected it.

Here’s the translation of part of the original article:

Let me talk about smuggling. My understanding is that smuggling is just to bring the good things from abroad to China. Nobody wants bad things. About a decade or two ago, all that is smuggled are of high quality.

“No. Smuggling is a criminal offence. Breaking the law is breaking the law. How can one say smuggling is not illegal?” He said.

“But what I did before wasn’t smuggling,” he commented. Lai has been saying he was trapped and being politically prosecuted.

Lai added that he’s yet finalizing on a job. “I’m too busy in finding a job. I don’t have spare time to write.”

“I don’t know how to type at all.”

“If I write anything, that would need someone to scan each of word into the computer,” he giggled.

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Lai Changxing last night says he's alive and well. (CIV file)

A widespread rumour appears on the Chinese internet world on Feb 13 that Lai Changxing, China’s mos wanted fugitive, was killed in a car crash happened 93 km south of Canada’s Mondalo-Hekuwan highway (I can’t locate where it is :P). Lai Changxing was said to be killed instantly.

However, Lai Changxing was reached at his phone last night in Vancouver, proving he is alive and well.

The internet “report” continues to say that several Lai’s bodyguards fought with a number of men at the scene. Neighbours heard several gun shots fired. It was said that a large number of police rushed to the scene and arrested 12 people. The “report” quotes the police saying that the accident was deliberately staged by local gangs. That family members of Lai Changxing told reporters that even if this was a gang-related violence, “there must be a bigger hand behind all these.”

The “report” said the report was from Taiwan’s Guangming Newsnet. It even has a “reporter”‘s byline.

Vancouver-based Global Chinese Press received several calls from PRC media about the news. Lai Changxing was reached at the phone tonight, obviously unharmed. Lai was “curious” about the news and wondered what the motive was behind those who created this news.

One of our reporters also called him today, asking how he’s been. “If I were dead, I wouldn’t be talking to you right now!”

He also updated us that he’s already got a few job offers but he hasn’t made any decision.

Many Chinese netizens believe it must be a prank.

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Jiang Yu, spokesperson of China’s foreign ministry, says the work permit issuance “will arouse mass discontent among the Chinese people”. Jiang maintains that China urges Lai be extradited.

Jiang hopes that Canada could “consider the relationship between the two countries”, and move on with the pre-removal assessment process so that Lai could be deported. Jiang says China would like to hear from Canada on the progress of the case.

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CIV – Just a day after the news that Chinese fugitive Lai Changxing was granted a work permit breaks out, Lai has a job offer.

Lai said he got a call yesterday from a friend who has a realty company, offering him a “high pay” position in real estate marketing.

Lai refuses to go into details about the offer.

However, he said he’s still waiting for job offers with even higher salary package. In other words, he’s kind of waiting for the highest bid.

Asked why he’s so highly sought amid the current poor economic environment, “to people who work hard and are serious about their jobs, they won’t be affected by the turmoil in the economy,” he said.

“People who knows me all know I’m hardworking and I’m a serious worker.”

He also said the current “economic tsunami” has not hurt him a bit. “All of my wealth was nearly gone when I left China when the government started the investigation on the “Yuanhua” case. I don’t have much money so I am not affected by the financial crisis out there.”

There have always been rumours in the Chinese community that Lai Changxing partnered with various people in investing in a variety of businesses in Vancouver. Rumours include he was a partner in a lavish Chinese restaurant and a guest house.

Lai yesterday refuted all these rumours. He said his publicity has been used by people who want to “cash in with his fame”.

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FILE - Lai Changxing is so well known in Vancouver that he sometimes bump into "fans" who want to take photo with him.

Reactions to Lai Changxing’s entitlement to work in Canada:

TorStar:

Lai’s lawyer David Matas said yesterday in an interview from Geneva that receiving the work permit is an important achievement and bolsters the fugitive’s position that he does not, as Canadian and Chinese authorities claim, have access to money being sent to him via an underground network.

“It’s significant because it means the government is acknowledging he doesn’t have an alternate source of funds,” said Matas.

Vancouver Sun

“Mr. Lai, I gather, got a work permit from officials out of our Vancouver office,” Kenney told reporters Thursday in the House of Commons foyer. “I gather the officials did so in this instance, believing that it was consistent with court rulings.”

A spokesman for Kenney said the work permit will allow Lai to make a living while he awaits the results of the new risk assessment, which the government hopes to complete within the next few months. “The important thing to note is that the (work permit) does not provide status in Canada,” spokesman Alykhan Velshi said in an e-mail.

Reuters：

Canada had little choice but to grant a work permit to Lai Changxing as he fights extradition to China, where he is one of country’s most wanted fugitives, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said on Thursday.

Permission for the accused smuggling kingpin to get a job is another twist in a case that is a thorn in relations between China and Canada. Ottawa has denied Lai political asylum but it has also been blocked by the courts from sending him home.

The courts have ruled that people living in Canada under an order preventing their removal have the right to get a job if they have no other means of supporting themselves, Kenney said.

“I believe that the officials did so in this instance believe it was consistent with the court rulings. … This was not a political decision it was an operational decision,” Kenney said.

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Lai Changxing shows off his new drivers licence in a press conference last year.

CIV – China’s most wanted fugitive Lai Changxing (賴昌星) can now legally work in Canada.

Lai confirmed with Ming Pao that he was issued a work permit by the federal government on Jan 22, just before the Chinese New Year.

He said he went out with his ex-wife and their children for a celebration dinner — both for the granting of the permit and for the new year.

By August 2009, Lai would have been in Canada for 10 years.

Lai was grateful to Canada when he talked about his newly attained work permit. “Canada is a country that makes sense,” he said.

Lai said he’d hope to find a job ASAP so that he could pay taxes and pay back Canada’s hospitality.

He hopes to go into the real estate industry. “I don’t have too many choices because of my poor English,” he said. “But I’ve dealt iwth real estate before and I’ve got the experience.”

If his target customers are Chinese, Lai said he can survive even with his limited English. “I’m confident that I could help increase businesses and promote publicity of the company that hires me.”

But Lai is worried that to get a job in the current economic climate might not be easy. He also realizes that his high profile may scare away nomral employers.

“Perhaps I wouldn’t be able to get a job through conventional job-seeking channels,” he admits. “I might need someone who knows me to refer me.”

Lai said he is the last one in his family who gets a work permit. His ex-wife Mingna Tsang and his sons have all granted work permits and have been working for some time.

This is Lai’s second attempt to apply for a work permit. He was denied the first time when he submitted with Tsang.

CIC is conducting a second “pre-removal risk assessment” on him late last year. Even if the result is negative, Lai can still appeal, just like what he’s done in the last 10 years.

According to immigration regulations, refugee claimants and persons subject to an unenforceable removal order can apply for a work permit, explains immigration lawyer Richard Kurland.

NOTE

I received an email from CIC this morning hoping to clarify some points about the case.

In general terms, a person under a removal order that cannot be carried out (such as when a pre-removal risk assessment is pending), and who has no other means of support, may apply for and receive a work permit.

In 2007, following a Federal Court decision, the government decided to refer this case for another pre-removal risk assessment, as directed by the Court, rather than continue with an appeal. It would be inappropriate to comment further on this case due to privacy legislation.

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