Article content continued

“They are effectively holding our people hostage,” West said. “But the UBCM is accepting their money and hospitality anyway. That’s just wrong.”

West also pointed to the recent refusal by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the two detained Canadians.

And China recently banned the import of some Canadian canola and pork products in escalating trade tensions between the two countries.

“None of these issues will be on the agenda at the UBCM reception, I can guarantee you that,” West fumed.

“I think the UBCM has forgotten what their job is. Mayors and councillors should worry about picking up the garbage and keeping local roads in good repair — not taking freebies from China.”

Photo by Jennifer Saltman / Postmedia News Files

In his recent book “Claws of the Panda: Beijing’s Campaign of Influence and Intimidation in Canada,” author Jonathan Manthorpe listed the UBCM sponsorship as just one way China seeks to control Canadian politicians.

Manthorpe said the UBCM-China reception and sponsorship is inappropriate.

“It is unacceptable that B.C. municipalities would foster a cosy relationship with representatives of a foreign, one-party state,” Manthorpe said.

Like West, he zeroed in on reported Chinese connections to money-laundering operations in B.C.

“The image of the reception raises the inevitable question that Canadian municipal officials and politicians are complicit in this money-laundering campaign,” he said.

But Singh, the UBCM president, said B.C. mayors and councillors are only interested in economic-development opportunities with China.

He doubts China is exerting any influence or control over local B.C. politicians.

“People are more on guard than ever against those kinds of things,” Singh said. “I have a lot confidence in the sophistication of our members. They’re not going to be unduly influenced by anybody.”

Singh said the UBCM executive has heard criticism before about the annual China-sponsored reception before.

“We had a really robust and long discussion about it,” Singh said. “The UBCM decided it’s important to allow it to continue.”

But not without a lot of noise from West, who wants to know how much money the UBCM has accepted from China over the years.

“The public has a right to know how much total cash the UBCM has taken from the Chinese government to provide access to municipal politicians,” West said. “I’m calling for them to cancel the reception. And if they don’t do that, then I’m calling for all mayors and councillors to boycott the reception.”

But Singh said the show will go on, with the reception still scheduled for September.

“Our members will make their own decisions,” he said. “If no one shows up, I guess that would be a message in itself.”

msmyth@postmedia.com

twitter.com/MikeSmythNews