A Trudeau-appointed senator said in a 2019 speech to Chinese alumni that people should be “praying every night” that the People’s Republic of China doesn’t share the same fate as the Soviet Union.
The remarks were delivered by Senator Yuen Pau Woo in Vancouver to members of the Fudan University School of Economics according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
“There are of course many critics who believe the People’s Republic of China will meet the same fate as the USSR. Indeed, some are counting on it to happen and trying to accelerate the process,” said Woo.
“But with a Chinese economy that is already larger than that of the US in purchasing power terms, and the Chinese market serving as the number one destination for exports from over 120 countries, we should be hoping and praying every night that China does not implode.”
Woo gave his speech only a few months after the unlawful arrest of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor by the Chinese government in retaliation for extradition proceedings against Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou.
Woo is no stranger to events hosted by groups with links to China’s communist government.
In January it was revealed that Woo spoke at an event hosted by the Canada-China Friendship Society, which has been lauded by the Chinese embassy for creating “mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Canadian peoples.”
During the speech, Woo said “a fresh perspective is needed” on Canada-China relations.
“We should be humble about whether a different strategy would produce better results,” said Woo.
“It should come as no surprise to anyone that a proud and ancient civilization such as China’s would be resistant to pressures for change from outside the country.”
