A former Chinese spy, known as “Eric,” has disclosed details of his espionage activities to Radio-Canada, shedding light on his involvement with a Chinese dissident who passed away in British Columbia in 2022. Eric revealed that he served as a covert operative for China’s secret police from 2008 to 2023, primarily targeting critics of the Chinese Communist Party. During his interview in Melbourne, Australia, Eric shared incriminating documents, including financial records and spy identities, with journalists from the Australian Broadcasting Corp. and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
Originally an activist for democracy, Eric was coerced into espionage after an encounter with law enforcement. Over the course of 15 years, he operated within the 1st Bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security, focusing on monitoring dissidents abroad. Eric admitted to surveilling individuals such as a Japanese cartoonist and an exiled YouTuber in Australia, often utilizing legitimate businesses as cover for his espionage activities.
While stationed in Cambodia, Eric posed as an employee of the Prince Group, a major conglomerate, to carry out his assignments. In 2020, he was tasked with monitoring a dissident named Hua Yong, a staunch critic of China’s ruling party who eventually relocated to British Columbia.
Hua Yong, a political dissident, endured persecution in China before seeking refuge in Thailand. Chinese authorities sought to apprehend him, prompting Eric’s handler to instruct him to entice Hua to Cambodia or Laos. Through encrypted messaging platforms, Eric engaged Hua in discussions about forming a resistance group, culminating in the creation of a fictitious anti-Communist organization called the V Brigade.
Their interactions led to a close partnership, with Hua expressing enthusiasm for the fabricated rebel group. However, in 2021, Hua eluded Chinese authorities and relocated to Canada, where he pursued peaceful activities such as kayaking. Tragically, Hua perished in a kayaking incident off the coast of British Columbia, raising suspicions of foul play among some observers.
Li Jianfeng, a former Chinese judge and refugee in Canada, believes that Hua’s death may have been orchestrated by Chinese operatives. Despite the RCMP’s initial determination of no foul play, concerns persist regarding potential covert operations targeting dissidents on foreign soil.
Eric, now residing in Australia after escaping China, emphasized the importance of exposing China’s clandestine activities to safeguard his own safety. He remains vigilant about possible surveillance by Chinese agents within Canada and has provided pertinent information to authorities for further investigation into Hua’s untimely demise.
