A Richmond MLA says he has no privacy concerns over the B.C. government opening up an account on a Chinese-language social media platform which is understood to be censored by the Chinese government.
The NDP’s Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond South-Centre, was answering questions about the government’s announcement Wednesday that it has a verified account on Weibo to share provincial updates, programs and news.
Yao said B.C.’s move to create a Weibo account will not only help decrease the language barrier problems for many Chinese-speaking individuals but also tackle any misinformation being spread around.
However, concerns have been expressed by some that the move will make it easier for the Chinese government (CCP) to monitor the Chinese community here in B.C.
Yao told the Richmond News that there are no privacy concerns about his government’s use of Weibo.
“Anything that will be published will focus on news and government updates for public awareness,” he said.
“This is our government’s way to create a more inclusive, welcoming environment to build bridges for conversations and dialogues.”
Yao noted that a “lot of people aren’t comfortable, due to the language barrier, to reach out for help,” adding that individuals often feel more comfortable receiving information and help through social medial platforms rather than in person.
“We want to help those constituents who live in Richmond, especially newcomers to learn and receive proper services and information that they are entitled to.”
The B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs spokesperson Jill Dickau told the News’ parent company Glacier Media that B.C. residents do not need to register on Weibo or download the phone app to see the B.C. government’s posts.
But Fenella Sung, founding convenor of Canadian Friends of Hong Kong, says the account de facto encourages British Columbians to do so.
“I think this is another wilful blindness operation because there is no way that any measure would be able to safeguard the individual devices of British Columbians against infiltration and control of the [Chinese Communist Party]; so they have chosen to ignore the issues,” said Sung, who is also works as a translator, writer, broadcaster and intercultural communicator.
Concerns over the government’s move to launch an account on Weibo come as Canada grapples with questions over foreign influence and alleged interference in elections by the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“Connecting to Weibo is connecting to the CCP surveillance system,” said Ivy Li, also a writer and member of Canadian Friends of Hong Kong, which advocates for democratic reform across China.
“Our government is now making it easier for the CCP to monitor the Chinese community here in B.C.”
Dickau said Weibo “is not being downloaded to or used from any Government assets such as computers or cell phones.” She added that a third-party contractor is responsible for day-to-day account administration “at arm’s length from government.”
Further, Dickau said B.C. government is not retaining any public information and “no private information is shared on the government’s Weibo channel.”
-With files from Graeme Wood/Glacier Media
