The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) joins other human rights organizations based in Canada and around the world in marking the 20th anniversary of the 1989 Beijing massacre.

“This important anniversary serves to remind all of us of our role as global citizens to uphold the universal values of human rights and social justice.” 

In 1989, CCNC was asked for its advice by the Canadian Government who shortly afterwards adopted policies to offer assistance to Chinese students and Chinese nationals who were stranded here and to relax conditions on visas if they were unable or unwilling to return to their homeland. Over the past few months, numerous federal Ministers have visited China in an effort to re-engage and deepen Canada – China relations.  

“CCNC takes the view that this relationship should be balanced and inclusive of a full and honest dialogue on human rights, and needs to be forged with input from the diverse voices of the Chinese Canadian community,” Colleen Hua added. 

Founded in 1980, CCNC is a national non-profit organization with 27 chapters across Canada and a community leader for Chinese Canadians in promoting a more just, respectful, and inclusive society. CCNC and allies are one of the co-recipients of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation’s 2008 Award of Excellence for its work on the Chinese Head Tax redress campaign.  

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For more information or media interviews, please contact:   

Sid Chow Tan, CCNC National Chairperson, (604) 783-1853; sidchowtan@gmail.com (Vancouver)

Victor Wong, Executive Director (416) 977-9871; national@ccnc.ca (Toronto)