Transcripts Released: Chinese Embassy Directing Students to Rally for Hu Jintao

Secret recordings of the Chinese embassy in Canada giving “battle” briefings to Chinese students of leader Hu Jintao.
Transcripts Released: Chinese Embassy Directing Students to Rally for Hu Jintao
A long line of school buses sits in downtown Ottawa near Parliament Hill. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa made a large-scale effort this week to get Chinese people from across the country to rally in Ottawa in support of Hu Jintao's arrival. Some students studying in Canada on Chinese state scholarships were even told that attending the rallies was mandatory. CINDY GU / THE EPOCH TIMES
Matthew Little
7/9/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/buses.JPG" alt="Buses used to transport Hu Jintao supporters to rally on Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. A driver with Transport St. Leonard bus company said his company had sent 26 buses, each loaded with 72 passengers. (The Epoch Times )" title="Buses used to transport Hu Jintao supporters to rally on Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. A driver with Transport St. Leonard bus company said his company had sent 26 buses, each loaded with 72 passengers. (The Epoch Times )" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1817575"/></a>
Buses used to transport Hu Jintao supporters to rally on Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. A driver with Transport St. Leonard bus company said his company had sent 26 buses, each loaded with 72 passengers. (The Epoch Times )
TORONTO—Secret recordings of the Chinese embassy in Canada giving “battle” briefings to Chinese students on the eve of leader Hu Jintao’s visit were obtained by The Epoch Times. English transcripts of the two audio recordings were released on Friday.

The recordings reveal efforts by the embassy in Ottawa to organize and fund a large-scale, three-day rally in the capital that was intended to “counteract” expected protests by human rights groups.

In one recording, Mr. Liu Shaohua, the first secretary of the education section at the embassy tells Chinese students plans for the rallies. He describes the rally as a “battle” against groups persecuted by the Chinese regime. In the second tape, Liu passes the meeting over to organizer Yuan Pinghua, who tells the students to prepare for “war.”

PDF file of Liu Shaohua’s transcript  | PDF file of Yuan Pinghua’s transcript

The articles that The Epoch Times published based on these tapes caused a stir as Hu visited Canada. In the same week, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Director Richard Fadden faced a media storm over comments he made in a CBC interview that some politicians were being influenced by foreign regimes.

Fadden also revealed that Chinese authorities are known to organize demonstrations against Canadian policies it disapproves of with the goal of influencing Canadian policy.

Among Beijing’s sensitivities are any criticisms of human rights abuses in China or shows of support for groups Beijing has targeted, in particular Falun Gong.

Speaking to a crowd of between 40 and 50 students in Canada on Chinese state-scholarships, Liu says they have “no excuse” to avoid participating in the rallies as it is a “political struggle” to protect “the reputation of our motherland.” Liu goes on to describe the embassy’s behind-the-scenes role directing the rallies, including details of compensation given to participants.

Liu also advises the students that the conversation is a secret and that they should not to tell anyone outside that circle what was discussed. Yuan says that revealing the discussion would put the embassy in a “deathtrap.”

Both men let the students know the rallies were not a celebration of Hu’s visit, but rather a battle against dissenting voices.

Continue to the next page to read the transcripts in their entirety.

Recording Transcript - English Translation

Liu Shaohua, First Secretary of the Education Section at the Ottawa Chinese Embassy Delivered June 18, 2010 at the Chinese Embassy to state-sponsored Chinese students

Recording obtained, transcribed, and translated by The Epoch Times

[Voice of Liu Shaohua, calling out names]

Guo Xuguang [Answer: “Here”]
Li Zhe [Answer: “Here”]
Qin Zengguang [Answer: “Here”]
Li Baishi [Answer: “Here”]

Ok, all here. OK, I will keep it short. First, I want to thank every student very much for coming to the embassy at such a busy time and in hot weather. This time, as we gather you here, the mission is relatively simple. As you already know, president Hu will have a state visit to Canada from the 23rd to the 25th.

Originally, we did not expect the situation to be so complex. Now according to what we have learned Falun Gong, Tibetan separatists, Uyghur separatists, and democracy people have sent many people here from the United States and Vancouver. Their purpose is to sabotage this visit, to interfere with this visit, they ... have already moved onto Parliament Hill. So the current situation is more severe than what we had imagined.

This is a battle that relates to defending the reputation of our motherland. The embassy and authorities inside China have a very high requirement. So this time we have made a special request. As our state-sponsored overseas students, you have no excuse, right? To put it bluntly, given that you are funded [by the Chinese government] you need to put in more effort than self-supported students this time. [Voice in background of Yuan Pinghua: “More responsibility”] You also have a greater responsibility. It’s not only you. I can happily tell you here that we now have mobilized over 100 people from Montreal, and all the state-sponsored students in Toronto will come especially for this. So it’s not only you. You are the hosts, so even more so you should come out to participate in this activity.

Uh, regarding the specific activities, I'd like to brief you about that here. On the 22nd, please tell Teacher Yuan, and you can, based on your own situation ... there are basically two parts on the 22nd. There may be a need for 10 to 20 people in the morning to attend some activities. In the afternoon, basically everyone needs to be in place. The students who come in the morning may be substituted by comrades attending the activity in the afternoon. Teacher Yuan will provide details through email. Do not discuss as a group on QQ [an internet chat program], do not go on QQ. [Voice in background of Yuan Pinghua (a.k.a., “Teacher Yuan”): “In general, use email. Pay attention everyone.”]. Yes, do not communicate through QQ, because the people there are very mixed.

Everyone here today is a student sent overseas by the state, by work units . . . [appears to correct himself] by the [China] Scholarship Council, are paid by the [China] Scholarship Council, that is, paid by the [Chinese] Ministry of Education. We did not call those who were sent by their work units [in China]. They participate ... [background noise, unclear]. Today, I will tell you the more detailed situation here. [background noise, unclear] ... First of all, keep it confidential. Under the current situation, do not tell our plan to people outside [background noise, unclear]. [Voice in background of Yuan Pinghua: “You cannot talk about it after leaving this door.”] Uh, right.

Now, some people said something on the Internet like, “Go to the [Chinese] Embassy to get money.” That’s not good at all. Some people are inexperienced and didn’t realize this. So all of your expenses here, including accommodations, food, etc., will all be paid by us. Teacher Yuan, and Li Shan [Voice in background of Yuan Pinghua: “Li Shan, Cui Zhe [and I], our three students”] will handle the specifics. So let’s take this time to talk about the schedule.

The 22nd ... I’ll speak about this issue first. I know you are very busy now. Some students have exams to write. In principle, if you have exams, you have to take your exams. Other than exams, if you do experiments, you had better ask for time off from your supervisor. [If] you need to do experiments, then surely you do it all the time, so you’d better be able to ask for leave. If you really cannot get time off, then tell me. Or if you need to take leave in the middle—for example, you say you need to go back for two to three hours—then it’s ok, you can ask for leave from Teacher Yuan. If you want to take leave for four hours or less, you can ask Teacher Yuan. But for longer time, such as for one day, you must ask for leave from me. Teacher Yuan cannot authorize that, so I will do it. Because we just have so many people to begin with, if everyone asks for leave, we cannot organize our team.

For the evenings, we have already arranged it. In the evening, you will stay in the Quality Inn on Rideau Street in downtown. [You need to go] two or three intersections, it is called ... [voice in background apparently responding, but unclear] Yes, yes, yes, at ... they will tell you the location. You’ll stay there. The [hotel] room, I have been there. Chinese delegation groups all live there when they come. Sometimes, there is a standard [allowance for hotel cost for the delegation]. According to the standard, they cannot afford to stay there and need to add some money. The room conditions are very good.

Er, whatever comes to my mind, I will talk about it.

When you stay there, you must pay attention to two issues: First, you should leave tips, leave tips. They will be reimbursed. If you don’t leave tips, for example, if you don’t want to give a tip tomorrow, or if you will get up late tomorrow, you just put up the “Do not disturb” sign so they won’t come into your room to do room service. If they do room service for you, you must leave tips so that you do not lose our face over such a trivial money issue, right? At that time, we can ...[background noise, inaudible].

Secondly, when entering rooms, sometimes, some students may take a night shift. After you come back, be quiet. Do not get so excited that you sing and jump when entering, affecting others. This is not good, right?

As for the time, you need to check into the hotel on the evening of the 22nd. Don’t worry about food, Teacher Yuan and other students will arrange that. [Voice in background of Yuan Pinghua: “Our special committee will supply, food, drink, water, etc.”]
On Wednesday afternoon, the 23rd, we’ll be with about 200 state-sponsored students from Montreal. We’ll rent a bus to counteract [presumably to counteract protesters] along the road to the airport. Because Falun Gong will put up signs and yellow banners along the road, they will do many things, we need to counteract along the road. We’ll announce the detailed time later. It will be in the afternoon.

However as to where to take the bus, we’ll tell you the details later. Write down Teacher Yuan’s phone number. We’ll mainly send notices through email, right? When you all stay in the hotel, it will be relatively easier. If there is any change, ask Teacher Yuan and ... [Voice in background of Yuan Pinghua: “Ou Weishang”]. Yes, they have phone numbers. Ask them. [Noise, inaudible.] ... Then on the 24th, at 8 a.m., we’ll go near Rideau Hall with some people from the Chinese communities. We’ll arrange rides to occupy space there, then counter attack, counteract.

After counter action, after President Hu has the meeting in Rideau Hall, we all go to Parliament Hill. Now Parliament Hill is divided into two parts. We will take east part of the Parliament Hill, Falun Gong has already applied, they will take west of the square. We should have 3,000 people there with people from the Chinese communities and Chinese students. We’ll have a dance group[s], the personnel should be relatively spectacular. In terms of quantity, we should be able to surpass them. This is Thursday.

On Friday, the last day, in the morning, basically we’ll have an activity on the square [Parliament Hill]. In the afternoon, 2 p.m. or 1 p.m., we’ll go to the airport, following the same strategy as on the 23rd. We’ll counteract along the road to the airport, with people from the Chinese communities and perhaps over 200 Ottawa students. We have quite a number of people.

Basically, the activity schedule is here. You see the activity time is relatively concentrated, so I know you are busy. [If] you have things to do, especially exams, you can take leave. We cannot affect your study for this, you can ask for leave. But if you are doing experiments, try your best to ask other ... [background noise, inaudible] ask students or someone to help. Try your best to participate in all activities. Some time period, for example, sometimes, [the activity takes] just about three hours a day, you can go back the rest of the time.

You can also cook at the hotel, but we basically do not need you to do that. Because cooking takes time, and it’s difficult for you to take pots and pans, right? You know there are few Chinese restaurants in the Ottawa area. We will have about 3,000 people at that time from other areas, so perhaps all Chinese restaurants will basically be full. Sometimes you may have to take some Western food. Anyway, just overcome it. If you’re not used to it, overcome it. Go home to cook some congee at night or something.

That is the schedule. Every student, when you leave today, based on this number [may refer to students’ clothing size], if you are of Carleton University, you take clothes and hat accordingly. If you belong to the Ministry of Agriculture, or the researchinstitute [may refer to National Research Council], because there are few of you, we did not make clothes for you separately. You can choose whichever school you like, you can take one. Yes, [based on] your favourite colour, you can take one, according to size. These things, do not wear them. That is, when you go back do not take them out before the 22nd. On the 23rd, you all participate together, ok?

Originally, we planned to book a buffet for you here tonight, but these last few days, everyday, we have been busy until 11 p.m. or midnight, working especially hard, so we won’t keep you here for dinner. Let’s see if there’s anything else. This is one thing. A second thing is Teacher Yuan will take down your schedule. [We need] more than 10 students in the morning, over 20 ... [background noise, inaudible] to come in the afternoon. Then [you] can go back to have a rest in the afternoon or something. Otherwise, you can go to the hotel directly, ok? Because it might rain on the 23rd, the 24th, and the 25th, we are purchasing rain gear, some simple raincoats for everyone.

Let’s see if you have any questions to raise. You can talk about any issues that you anticipate.

But do not need ... [background noise] [Someone says: “self-defense type [equipment]”].

Yes, he raised a good question. I tell you that this ... [another background voice: “police batons”]. No, not police batons. Here, you have to pay attention to two things:

First, under any circumstance, do not have physical conflict with Falun Gong. Especially the Tibetan separatists, they can be ferocious sometimes. In case of any quarrel, you should find local people. We have people from Chinese communities on every site. They have rich experience and good English. They have experienced this before. Ask them to handle it. Do not talk to them directly, definitely do not do that. Because those villains will bring lawsuits, and the police can be extreme sometimes and cannot tell who is right. You could be right to begin with, but you cannot clarify it. In the end maybe both parties would be taken into [custody] or something. It’s not necessary. We must pay attention here, by all means do not let such a thing happen. It’s not necessary. Do not lower ourselves to the same level as them, right? This is something to be noted.

Another thing, if someone ... the so-called reporters, may ask to interview you. In principle, do not accept it. Why? You don’t know if he is a true reporter. Now some Falun Gong, or someone may come to ask you questions. He says that he’s not Falun Gong and asks you to say what you think of Falun Gong. You do not need to say anything about Falun Gong in this occasion. After you say something, he says that you attacked him, he had it recorded. He will sue you immediately or something, it’s very annoying. Just don’t accept it. Just say, “We are here to welcome President Hu. Long live the Canada–China friendship.” You just say such a thing in a polite form.

That’s it, do not say much more. Especially politically sensitive issues, the Tibetan issue, do not talk about it. Definitely do not get in physical conflict with them, definitely do not do that. Especially our young people who are quite impulsive, once hit, you cannot clarify it, and it’s very annoying to handle it. It has happened in other places, such as South Korea. The Korean police took in our overseas students.

Afterwards, the embassy had to negotiate. It was very annoying. Do you have any other questions? I think this time, you all came here, this is an opportunity very hard to find. This time you can see the struggle outside of China. Through this struggle, you will become more patriotic. Our country has many internal issues, many problems. We all dislike [them], but facing the outside, indeed, Western countries do not cooperate with us on these things. In 2005, when President Hu visited [Canada], they made a lot [protests].

The Canadian [government] side did not cooperate at all, and there was furor inside China. This time, we negotiated sternly, but they only guaranteed some parts. Some parts cannot be guaranteed, because this country is particular about so-called freedom. We say, “If your Prime Minister Harper visits China, and China wants to hold some protests, how would you feel?” Of course Canadians won’t protest, but we’re just making the point. But they do not care. They say, “We are a free country.” So we are still negotiating. Falun Gong has already occupied three locations. They have western anti-china forces to support them from behind the scenes. We all know this. They also take money or something.

This time, for you, all the expenses, all will be paid by us. You do not talk about it outside, do not talk about it to anyone. Except to people in this circle. Other students who pay their own tuition, in fact we will also cover [their expenses], because you are working quite hard. For our country this is little money. In my view, this is a struggle, a political struggle.

I won’t take more of your time, you ... (end of recording).

Continue to the next page to read the second transcript in its entirety.

Recording Transcript - English Translation

Yuan Pinghua, who is reportedly a visiting scholar or student in the University of Ottawa’s English Department. Yuan appeared online as the contact person for the pro- Beijing rally discussed in this speech.

Delivered June 18, 2010 at the Chinese Embassy to state-sponsored Chinese students

Recording obtained, transcribed, and translated by The Epoch Times English translation follows original Chinese.

Because this is a state secret, we cannot just discuss it lively on the Internet. So the discussions online today made me very surprised. This really can’t be done, just posting our notice on QQ [an online discussion forum] for discussion. We have already said [you] are state-sponsored people, and have repeated urged you not to talk about it any more. It’s perhaps is a problem with the approach, right? Of course we are also responsible for it. Maybe our work was not quite adequate.

Today, [we] asked you to come, to tell you not to spread this any more, not to tell others, because our friends are all over the world, but our enemies are also preparing. If we tell them our action plan, then we are putting ourselves in a deathtrap. So it will be really disadvantageous for us. Please pay attention, [you] must keep it confidential. This is something [you] must pay attention to. Probably many students do not have such experience. Since it is a highly sensitive time politically, don’t openly discuss the political aspects on QQ. Right now, silence wins over noise. Even if we just leave that place [the online “QQ” forum] empty, without saying anything, it will do. We ourselves are manipulating things secretly, which will make us more productive. Let’s avoid having to fix things. That wouldn’t be good. So please do pay attention to keeping it secret.

Then on the 22nd, we basically have the following arrangement. It may change on the spot. Please pay attention, we will send an email to you. Pay special attention these next couple of days.

The initial plan for the activity is that in the morning about 20 people may go to where the president [Hu] is staying to be on duty, 20 people. Today, we will get it settled. Also, as for the afternoon, students who can substitute, see if the morning or the afternoon is convenient for you. Then each shift has about 20 people, just come. In the night, we may select some students to be on duty. Because the circumstance is clear, when we go to occupy a place, the other side will come. So when you are sleeping, everyone should pay attention and keep their guard up. At any time you could be called on to give support.

So to make it clear, in a word this is like waging war. So today we are mobilizing for war, having all of you take responsibility and raise your guard, raise your guard. Some things that should not be said definitely cannot be said. We may have some students who have not participated in this kind of political movement before or do not have political sensitivity, [who] may leak it out. But this absolutely cannot be leaked. You must pay attention to this. So we’ll temporarily settle the activity for the 22nd for now.

As Teacher Liu said, the activities may be adjusted according to the situation later, but once you’ve settled in [to the hotel] [background noise, inaudible]. So, please everyone by all means obey commands and submit yourselves to discipline. If you need to take leave, please ask Teacher Liu. Students Li Shan, Cui Zhe and I do not have such authority. So please everyone, you must follow Teacher Liu and must pay attention to the issue of communication.

Because you may stay there [in the hotel] for three days consecutively, please bring some clothes. In fact, it is like going on a business trip. We are travelling, but we are also going into combat. Prepare your luggage well. At the same time, you need to bring your clothes and other things. For male students, if you are arranged to do the night shift, you need to bring some thicker clothes. Another thing, especially in the evening, we try not to schedule female students for the night shift. Male students, please volunteer yourselves.

Then, we will arrange groups. Initially, we have these several groups: University of Ottawa, Carleton University, Ministry of Agriculture, and NRC [National Research Council]. [Based on] the current enrolment situation, the total number is over 50. Dividing this more than 50 into two groups, each will have over 20. We can have shifts. If we have small groups, we can divide to three groups. NRC and the Ministry of Agriculture can be one group, then that is over 10. After each team is established, we will establish a leadership team. We’ll have three people for the leadership team, each of whom has a sense of political responsibility, the capability to direct, and can organize. This way, we can guarantee all of you a smooth ... [background noise, inaudible].

Another thing is pay attention to safety, because our activity will involve many people, will involve the interests of many people, so many people will join this activity, or battle, so you must pay attention to it. Then with regards to other people, in our past meetings, someone mentioned we need to coordinate well with overseas Chinese community groups. Our activity, to say generally, is a large-scale activity and should be done together with overseas Chinese community groups. For example in the morning of the 22nd, there will be people from the Chinese community groups there. They are old overseas Chinese. They are more familiar with the things here. Then our leader comrades should communicate with their leaders, because they have experience handling ... sometimes... [background noise, inaudible] we try to avoid ... [background noise, inaudible].

If such things happen, report it to the police because we will all have the phone number of the police. So ask the police to handle it, to take away the troublesome people. You must pay attention to it. Many people have already been anxious to see us fight, right? Then the media exposure will be high, so you must pay attention at this time, try your best not to get into conflict with them.

Another thing you must pay attention to is that when you go out this door, wash your minds, and forget what we’ve said. Don’t go out and talk about this. We'll find another time to tell the other personnel [participating in these activities] the same things, and we can tell them. Because we are the national team, Teacher Liu has specially chosen us to be here to give us our marching orders for war. It’s a prelude for the beginning of our activities.

We talked about this ahead of time, to assign this task to everyone. Now we have explained it clearly, everyone knows exactly what it is in your heart, and can take action independently. Doing is doing. Don’t talk. Do. Don’t talk. If people ask you where you are going, then tell them something else. Don’t ... [background noise, inaudible] must be alert about these things.