Founder of Canada-China relations group, Liberal donor faces deportation for ‘war crimes’

Rong Xiang Yuan, a prominent figure in Canada-China relations and a donor to the Liberal Party, faces deportation due to allegations of war crimes. Born in China, Yuan, also known as "Tiger" Yuan, has been living in Canada for nearly two decades. He was born in China and is not a Canadian citizen. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has initiated deportation proceedings against him, alleging that he committed crimes against humanity in the 1980s while serving in the People's Liberation Army during the Sino-Vietnamese conflict.

According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Yuan could be deported for either committing war crimes or crimes against humanity outside of Canada or for misrepresenting or withholding material facts about his military record, leading to an error in his immigration status. Yuan served in the People's Liberation Army during China's war against Vietnam from 1979 to 1991.

An expert in criminology has stated that foreign citizens who commit war crimes are not allowed in Canada, and failing to disclose such involvement on immigration forms is considered misrepresentation.

Yuan's lawyer has denied any involvement in war crimes and stated that Yuan was wounded in the conflict and received a citation of merit, but has never been charged or convicted of any such offense in China, Canada, or elsewhere. The CBSA has referred Yuan to the Immigration and Refugee Board for an admissibility hearing under specific sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The first paragraph outlines cases involving acts outside Canada that constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, while the second paragraph covers those accused of misrepresenting or withholding material facts related to their immigration status.