Anglais

China’s detention of Canadians part of bid to challenge Western democratic norms, experts say

Published

5 années ago

janvier 1, 2019

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VANCOUVER—A common narrative has emerged this month: Canada being caught between two global superpowers vying for dominance.

The notion has been used to frame the detentions of two Canadians in China, an apparent response to Canada’s arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the request of authorities in the United States.

Students at China’s Huaibei Normal University wave flags as they watch live coverage of a speech in Beijing by China’s President Xi Jinping in December to mark the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening policy. But experts say Xi is overseeing a retrenchment of authoritarian foreign policy in a bid to challenge the global dominance of Western liberal democratic order. (STR / AFP/Getty Images)

But experts say this explanation obscures a larger truth: that China’s detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are part of an ongoing bid to assert its authoritarian “rule by law” system against the democratic rule-of-law order of the Western world.

Kovrig, an ex-diplomat, and Spavor, an entrepreneur, were arrested in China a little more than a week after Meng, a top executive of Chinese telecommunications and tech giant Huawei, was taken into Canadian custody.

Meng was released on $10-million bail on Dec. 11 to one of her multimillion-dollar homes in Vancouver to await an extradition hearing.

Huawei reps lobbied Ottawa’s security committee in bid to tell company’s ‘story’

PowerPoint that snared Meng Wanzhou claims Huawei had business ties with four Iranian companies

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland has issued a formal call for the release of the pair of detainees, while the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany and most recently Australia have all issued statements of concern over the apparent political motivations of the pair’s arrests.

The issue runs far deeper than an effort by one country to use detention of foreign nationals to push for the release of its own citizens, said Charles Burton, associate professor of political science at Brock University.

Repeated assertions from Chinese state officials that Meng’s treatment in Canada is motivated purely by political allegiance to the United States has another function, said Burton. Suggesting Meng’s arrest is equivalent to — or worse than — China’s handling of Spavor and Kovrig is the latest chapter in a Chinese government effort to undermine long-standing democratic norms and legitimize its own brand of state-directed justice, he argued.

“The Chinese government denies the reality of judicial independence in Western liberal democracies by insisting that (the current conflict over Kovrig and Spavor) is a political matter and can be resolved by the Canadian prime minister if enough pressure is exerted,” Burton said in a phone interview.

The Chinese regime, he said, wishes to establish a “moral equivalence” between the Chinese and Canadian justice systems.

“And frankly that’s ridiculous, because our system is based on the rule of law and their system is based on rule-by-law, which is that the Chinese Communist Party enforces its political decisions through the use of administrative law.”

Chinese authorities have said Kovrig and Spavor are not under arrest but rather are being held for interrogation in an undisclosed location, effectively allowing them to circumvent international protocols around due process, said Burton.

These “undisclosed locations,” he added, are sometimes called “black jails” — secret, extrajudicial detention centres that the Chinese government has denied exist but Human Rights Watch has documented for nearly a decade.

Michael Kovrig (left) and Michael Spavor, the two Canadians detained in China. Both Kovrig and Spavor disappeared shortly after Canada detained Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. (Julie DAVID DE LOSSY/CRISIGROUP/AFP, The Associated Press)

Recently, reports emerged that Kovrig had been denied access to a lawyer and was being kept in a continuously lit cell — a common tactic, according to Burton, used by the Chinese Ministry of State Security along with sensory deprivation and the confinement of prisoners to painful and restrictive “tiger chairs” when those detained are alleged to have threatened Chinese state security through espionage or sabotage.

Nor has any charge been laid against Kovrig or Spavor, Burton added, meaning no legal defence can be mounted on either man’s behalf.

Meng, on the other hand, was allowed to mount a strong defence against serious charges and was granted bail to her family’s home in Vancouver pending an extradition hearing.

“So the idea that Ms. Meng is worse off than the two Canadians who’ve been taken in just is not convincing to anyone who looks into it with any degree of objectivity,” he said, calling claims of equivalency between the Chinese and Canadian justice systems “patently absurd.”

This rhetoric is also a departure from nearly two decades of Beijing gesturing toward an adoption of international norms, Burton added.

In 1998, for instance, China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with the idea the country would eventually move to ratification — a development that would have significant implications for the possibility of strengthening Western-style democracy in China.

“As the years went by … the Chinese Communist Party recognized that if they moved to implement the principles of the (covenant) that could lead to the end of communist rule in China, similar to what happened in Taiwan with their authoritarian government that’s now a democracy,” Burton said.

More recently, actions by the Chinese politburo have explicitly enhanced state participation in the judiciary, meaning the Chinese legal system will now become an even more tightly controlled organ of state — a status which stands in stark contrast to the independence of justice systems in Western democracies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping during the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up at The Great Hall Of The People on December 18, 2018 in Beijing, China. (Andrea Verdelli/Getty Images)

The projection of Chinese military power in the South China Sea in recent years is another example of the country’s flouting of international rule of law. The Chinese “reclamation” of the disputed region — which included destructive build-outs of man-made islands on reefs — was rejected by an international tribunal that found the country’s actions had violated the maritime rights of the Philippines.

The ruling — seen internationally as a landmark declaration on one of the world’s most contested areas — was swiftly rejected by China, which continues to maintain a constant presence in the region.

Beijing’s only occasional adherence to established liberal democratic norms can be traced back to what can be seen as its national myth, according to Howard W. French, journalism professor at Columbia University and author of Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape China’s Push for Global Power.

Like every nation state, China maintains a national myth to legitimize and underpin the priorities and perspectives of the state, French said. And like every national myth, China’s contains both some truth and some fiction that rings true.

The important fiction in China’s national myth, French said, is the story of China’s “century of humiliation” and victimhood at the hands of imperial Western powers, which, he added, does in some ways reflect the historical victimization of China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

“This business about having been a victim, of having suffered at the hands of imperial powers, is coupled with another idea, which is that the rules of the world were created by Western nations at a time when China was excluded from the system and China had no say in anything,” French said.

When international rules work for China’s longer or short-term goals, they are framed by China as legitimate, he argued. But when those rules work against governmental ends, mythology can be invoked “to derive a reason not to pay attention to (the rules) or even to undermine the logic” of that order, giving China the ability to play both insider or outsider depending on the needs of the moment, he added.

But striking this contradictory balance can be a challenge, French noted.

“The Chinese party and state have to signal to their people that they’re strong … and signalling to their people that they’re strong while also opportunistically drawing upon notions of victimhood is a tricky game,” he said.

“So this is a public-relations game that China is playing … both victim to illegitimate rules but also feeling a need to say, ‘We’re tough and we’re big now and we’re not going to let ourselves be pushed around by these pernicious westerners.’”

Two protesters hold a sign in favor of the release of Huawei Technologies CFO Meng Wanzhou outside her bail hearing at British Columbia Superior Courts on December 10, 2018. (JASON REDMOND/AFP/Getty Images)

And that would make a country like Canada a perfect target for the exercise of Chinese governmental authority as it seeks to both flex its substantial economic and political muscle and declare its historical victimhood to long-standing imperial powers, in this case the United States.

“This could be any kind of small to medium-sized country that runs afoul of China right now that’s going to find itself in a situation like (Canada), whether or not the United States is involved,” he said.

And according to Burton, the desired outcome appears to be a push for broader, international legitimization of Chinese rule-by-law.

“I think (China’s political detention of Canadians) is reflective of their overall trend to assert that their system is suited to Chinese history and culture and has the same moral authority as the democratic system,” he said.

Yet at the heart of this entire conflict is the lives of human beings, which, according to Pamela Kilvadi, a longtime friend of Kovrig, are being used as “pawns” by countries looking to assert their dominance.

Kilvadi, director of the Boston, Mass.-based global policy research firm International Policy Fellowships Network, met Kovrig in Budapest in the 1990s during his days as journalist.

“It seems fairly clear that he’s being used as a political pawn in an international game, and he’s probably also being used an example for those who may be working in civil society organizations or journalists working in international settings that they should be wary of speaking out and wary of working abroad.”

But Kilvadi also said Kovrig is a loyal friend with an insatiable curiosity about the world around him. He’d stayed past the end of his diplomatic contract in China because he loved the country and wished to contribute to peace in the region, she said.

“It’s a tragedy when people who are really trying to forge peace are targeted in these kinds of political games,” she said.

Perrin Grauer is a Vancouver-based reporter covering community issues and Canada’s drug policies. Follow him on Twitter: @perringrauer

Anglais

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Published

3 années ago

août 10, 2021

admin

Get a taste of adventure with Starburst XXXtreme based on the legendary NetEnt Game. The nostalgic themes are sure to capture fans of the classic version as they get treated to higher intensity, better visuals, and features. The most significant element of the game is its volatility. Patience will not be an essential virtue considering the insane gameplay, and there is a lot of win potential involved. It retains the original makeup of the previous game while adding a healthy dose of adrenaline.

Starburst Visuals and Symbols

The game is definitely more conspicuous than before. The setting happens over a 5-reel, 3-row game grid with nine fixed win lines, which function if a succession from the left to the right reel is present. Only those players that that attain the highest win per bet line are paid. From a visual standpoint, the Starburst XXXtreme slots illustrates lightning effects behind the reels, which is not surprising as it is inherited from the original version. Available themes include Classic, Jewels, and Space. The game is also available in both desktop and mobile versions, which is advantageous for players considering the global pandemic. According to Techguide, American gamers are increasingly having more engaging gaming experiences to socialize to fill the gap of in-person interaction. Starburst XXXtreme allows them to fill the social void at a time when there is so much time to be had indoors.

Starburst XXXTreme Features

Players get to alternate on three features which are Starburst Wilds, XXXtreme Spins, and Random Wilds. The first appears on reels 2,3, or 4. When these land, they expand to cover all positions while also calculating the wins. They are also locked for a respin. If a new one hits, it also becomes locked while awarding another respin. Starburst XXXtreme offers a choice between two scenarios for a higher stake. In one scenario with a ten times stake, the Starburst Wild is set on random on reels 2,3, or 4, and a multiplier starts the respin. The second scenario, which has a 95 times stake, starts with two guaranteed starburst wilds on reels 2,3, or 4. it also plays out using respin game sequence and features. The game also increases the potential with the Random Wilds feature to add Starburst Wilds to a vacant reel at the end of a spin. Every Starburst Wild gives a random multiplier with potential wins of x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, x100, or even x150.

The new feature is sure to be a big hit with the gaming market as online gambling has shown significant growth during the lockdown. AdAge indicates the current casino customer base is an estimated one in five Americans, so Starburst XXXtreme’s additional features will achieve considerable popularity.

What We Think About The Game

The gambling market has continued to diversify post-pandemic, so it is one of the most opportune times to release an online casino-based game. Thankfully Starburst XXXtreme features eye-catching visuals, including the jewels and space themes. These attract audience participation and make the gameplay inviting. The game also has a nostalgic edge. The previous NetEnt iteration featured similar visuals and gameplay, so the audience has some familiarity with it. The producers have revamped this version by tweaking the features to improve the volatility and engagement.

That is characterized by the potential win cap of 200,000 times the bet. Starburst XXXtreme does not just give betting alternatives for players that want to go big. The increase of multipliers also provides a great experience. If the respins in the previous version were great, knowing that multipliers can go hundreds of times overtakes the game to a new level.

Players should get excited about this offering. All of the features can be triggered within a single spin. Whether one plays the standard game or takes the XXXtreme spin route, it is possible to activate all of the features. Of course, the potential 200,000 times potential is a huge carrot. However, the bet size is probably going to be restricted and vary depending on the casino. It is also worth pointing out that a malfunction during the gameplay will void all of the payouts and progress. Overall, the game itself has been designed to provide a capped win of 200,000 times the original bet.

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Anglais

‘We’re back’: Montreal festival promoters happy to return but looking to next year

Published

3 années ago

juillet 23, 2021

admin

In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.

In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.

Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.

Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”

“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.

The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.

When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.

“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”

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Anglais

MELS new major movie studio to be built in Montreal

Published

3 années ago

juillet 23, 2021

admin

MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.

MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.

The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.

The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.

Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.

STUDIO SHORTAGE

The film industry is cramped in Montreal.

According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.

With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.

Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »

« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.

She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.

« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.

There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.

« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.

Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.

For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.