City of Vancouver under fire for raising China's flag at city hall

October 3, 2016

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“I was shocked,” said Meena Wong, former mayoral candidate for COPE. “To have my city councillor in my city hall raising the flag wearing the symbol of loyalty to communism, I was dumbfounded.”

Wong was a young child in Beijing during the Cultural Revolution and recalls the persecution of her parents and grandparents. For her and many others “it is a painful memory to see that red flag and scarves,” she said.

The Alliance of the Guard of Canadian Values, which has protested local celebrations of Communist leader Mao Zedong, has started an online petition calling for Jang’s resignation.

Jang, a third-generation Chinese-Canadian, said he’s “agnostic” when it comes to Chinese politics.

“Whether or not you agree with the Beijing government, us raising the flag follows federal protocol,” he said, adding the best way to affect change with China is to engage with the country.

Jang, who only stood in for Deputy Mayor Heather Deal at the event because Deal was unable to attend, said he has been dealing with phone calls, emails and personal attacks Monday from people who see the ceremony as proof the city has sold out to the Chinese.

“It’s rooted in ignorance and racism,” said Jang. “To them it doesn’t matter if it’s a Communist government in China, they’re just anti-Chinese.”

The City of Vancouver said flag-raising ceremonies are requested by the community groups, which are responsible for organizing the event and sending out invitations.

Vancouver has approved ceremonies for other countries, including Greece, Armenia, Slovenia, Colombia and the Philippines.

Asked about criteria for which groups or countries get the nod, the city said that generally, it “will host a flag-raising ceremony to recognize the national day of any country that has official diplomatic relations with the Government of Canada.”