By all accounts it was a spectacular performance, complete with belly dancing, bhangra dancing, traditional Cantonese opera, a stunt man and Chinese children’s choir.
In fact, some city councillors at a committee meeting on Monday suggested they should ditch their own World Festival and put on something more akin to the award show they witnessed Sunday evening at the River Rock Show Theatre.
“We had a multi-fest last night, (we could take) that performance and put it on a stage,” said Coun. Bill McNulty. Coun. Harold Steves also praised the evening, saying it just needed some Highland dancers to be complete.
But among the accolades were some questions about the show, not the least of which was (as Coun. Alexa Loo put it) how it was “bankrolled.” The event, hosted by the Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations (CACA) and the North American Artists Association, celebrated the City of Richmond’s 140th anniversary and honoured some of Richmond’s notable individuals and organizations.
So, if this was the city’s 140th, why wasn’t the city hosting it, and why didn’t all of Richmond know about it? At least that’s what Matt Pitcairn, the CEO and president of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, pondered. And he wasn’t alone.
“Where was my invite?” was a common refrain on the Richmond News’ Facebook page where we posted pictures of the night. And while it wasn’t well-publicized, word got out in some circles, as the 1,000-seat theatre was 90 per cent full.
But back to Loo’s “bankrolled” comment, simply renting the theatre costs $30,000-plus, never mind bringing in high-calibre talent — and did I mention the event was free?
CACA members have been quick to explain that the evening was funded by legitimate corporate sponsors, and I don’t doubt it was. However, CACA itself has been criticized for being too cozy with the Chinese consulate and promoting Chinese nationalism, such as a flag-raising event at Vancouver city hall three years ago. More recently, it signed a statement put out by the Chinese Benevolent Association which implied a pro-China stance.
That said, every government has its boosters. There are Canadian groups around the world working to build cultural relationships, encourage economic investment and promote Canadian values. Granted, the Canadian government, however problematic, is not a dictatorship and its human rights record, however blemished, is better than most. Still, the agenda is the same. What sets China apart is simply its weight, both economic and technological.
When I talked to Coun. Chak Au about the event months ago, he explained it was part of CACA’s way of giving back to the community and showing its appreciation. Well, that’s nice. Just as it’s nice China is investing billions into some of Africa’s poorest countries to build hospitals and schools. But with investment comes control, and as long as China imprisons people by way of political retaliation, we need to think carefully about letting it or its boosters pick up the tab.
To quote Loo, when the city hosts its own events, “there’s no chance we’re going to be accused of being in bed with someone we shouldn’t be in bed with.”
