Dong Guangping, Who Fled China Four Times and Crossed Korean Waters in a 3.3-Metre Dinghy, Lands in Toronto to Reunite With Family
Chinese Dissident Dong Guangping Reaches Toronto After Fourth Escape Attempt Across Sea in Dinghy. Dong Guangping, Who Fled China Four Times and Crossed Korean Waters in a 3.3-Metre Dinghy, Lands in Toronto to Reunite With Family.
AP News reports that Chinese political dissident Dong Guangping arrived in Toronto on Friday, landing on an Air Canada flight and reuniting with his wife and daughter after a years-long ordeal — his fourth known attempt to flee China.
Dong’s Fourth Escape Saw Him Cross Korean Waters Alone in a 10.8-Foot Inflatable Boat Before South Korea’s Coast Guard Detained Him in May
In May, Dong was found aboard a 3.3-metre inflatable boat in waters off a western South Korean island by South Korea’s coast guard, who detained him for allegedly violating immigration law. At his court hearing, he told reporters he hoped to reach Canada to reunite with his family, who had already been resettled there. He had previously escaped to Thailand and Vietnam, but authorities in both countries deported him back to China. He also attempted to swim to a Taiwanese island, unsuccessfully.
Chinese Canadian Activist Sheng Xue, Who Spent More Than Ten Years Working to Free Dong, Confirmed His Arrival on Social Media Saturday
His friend and Chinese Canadian activist Sheng Xue confirmed Dong’s safe arrival on X on Saturday, writing that he had just eaten a big bowl of noodles with eggs, tomatoes, and shrimps. She said she had spent more than ten years working to get him out of China.
Four attempts. Deportations from two countries. A solo crossing in an inflatable boat. Dong Guangping made it. The bowl of noodles waiting for him on the other side tells you everything. Check out our previous coverage of China and human rights news here.
