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Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, backed by five councillors and dozens of anti-China protesters, stood outside the Fairmont hotel in Vancouver on Wednesday night and took aim at a China-backed social gathering taking place inside with fellow councillors.

“I talk about how we pride ourselves at the UBCM on being leaders,” West said. “It’s probably the word you’re going to hear the most if you spend a little time over at the convention.”

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The Union of B.C. Municipalities annual convention is taking place in Vancouver this week, with the Chinese consulate’s social event related to a $6,000 donation it made to UBCM organizers. The consulate has been hosting these events since 2012.

“Being a leader means standing up for what is right,” West said, as the crowd buoyed. “And there is nothing right about taking a financial contribution from a foreign government that is engaged in actions that are completely hostile to the interests of our country and our people, that are repressing their own people.”