Weeks of protests in Hong Kong are posing a serious challenge to China’s communist government as protesters continue to call for democracy in the China-controlled country.



As protesters continue to fill the streets of Hong Kong, here in Canada, former Ontario Liberal Minister, Michael Chan, urged Canadians to support the Chinese government and the Hong Kong Police.



Supported by Beijing, the Hong Kong Police have used increasingly violent tactics to repress the pro-democracy protesters.



According to 51.ca, a Chinese media outlet in Toronto, close to 400 people gathered in Markham, Ontario in a pro-China demonstration. The theme of the gathering was “Supporting Stable and Prosperous Peace, Hong Kong and China will be better tomorrow”.



Former Liberal Minister, Michael Chan, spoke to the crowd in Mandarin:



“Unity is better than violence, stability is better than violence, and prosperity is better than violence. Hong Kong police severely deal with unrest, the Hong Kong government strictly upholds the rule of law, the Chinese government is seriously concerned about Hong Kong.”



“We bless the general public in Hong Kong. Go upstream, adhere to unity, stability, prosperity, Hong Kong, China will be better tomorrow!”



Chan served in multiple roles within Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet in Ontario. He was the Minister of Revenue, Minister of Tourism and Culture and Minister of Immigration and Citizenship.



Although Chan resigned his seat prior to the Ontario election in 2018, he continues to be active within the Liberal Party at federal and provincial levels.



According to social media posts, observers indicated that Chan was recruiting individuals at the Markham pro-China gathering to join the federal Liberal Party, and to vote for former Ontario Liberal MPP Han Dong in the upcoming nomination in the Toronto riding of Don Valley North.



At the gathering in Markham, pro-China demonstrators were heard yelling slogans in Mandarin and Cantonese. Some of these slogans included, “Support the ‘one country, two systems’ major policy!” and “All Canadians unite to oppose violence and protect Hong Kong!”.

