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BEIJING — China's most wanted man should be handed over to face smuggling and corruption charges instead of getting a work permit in Canada, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
The demand from ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu came after Canada granted Lai Changxing a work permit last week. His lawyer said that means his deportation — a sore point between Canada and China — is not imminent.
Chinese authorities accuse Lai Changxing of masterminding a network that smuggled as much as $10 billion of goods with the protection of corrupt government officials. Before fleeing to Canada in 1999, Lai lived a life of luxury in China complete with a mansion and a bulletproof Mercedes.
"We express severe concern over Canada's decision. Our position on repatriation of Lai Changxing to be put on trial is solid and consistent," Jiang told a regular news conference.
Lai is awaiting a pre-removal risk assessment decision by Canada to evaluate the risk Lai faces if he is sent back to China.
Lai and his wife, Tsang Mingna, have long maintained that they would face capital punishment if returned to China. The case has become a thorn in Canada-China relations.
Canada and China do not have an extradition treaty, and China has given assurances that he will not face execution if he returns. But his lawyer David Matas said the assurances cannot be believed.
The couple, who are now separated, and their three children applied for asylum after arriving in Canada. They said the refugee board that in 2002 initially turned down their asylum claim failed to see they were at risk of political persecution in China. The case has proceeded through court challenges and appeals ever since.
Eight people connected to the case have already been executed in China in connection with Lai's alleged smuggling empire, and several people have been jailed for sending Lai funds for his defense.
