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Letters: Troubling views about China

A Richmond News reader is concerned that critics are stigmatizing individuals instead of encouraging respectful debate.
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Glacier Media file photo

Dear Editor,

Re: “Failure to recognize Uyghur genocide shows Chinese ‘infiltration,’” News, July 15.

Thank you for accurately citing my recent Senate speech on Xinjiang.

Your readers can see from the quotes you highlight that it is precisely because of Canada’s history of residential schools that I feel we must share our concerns with China about the treatment of Uyghurs. 

It is puzzling therefore that the critics are accusing me of the opposite.

Perhaps they should read my speech in full, which is available at  Senatoryuenpauwoo.ca (look for “Motion concerning genocide of Uyghurs”).

What is more troubling is the insinuation that senators who voted against the motion are witting or unwitting agents of the Chinese government.

This is a classic smear tactic, reminiscent of McCarthyism that is designed to stigmatize individuals and shut them up rather than encouraging respectful debate.

Yuen Pau Woo

B.C. Senator