B.C. Liberals tied to controversy in China

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      One of China's top economic policymakers is under investigation, according to the national news agency Xinhua.

      The New York Times has reported that Liu Tienan came under fire more than five months ago from crusading Beijing journalist Luo Changping.

      Luo reportedly accused Liu of "threatening to kill his mistress and overstating his academic qualifications".

      The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party has recently launched a probe into Liu, who is “suspected of grave violations of discipline”.

      This comes just as the new president, Xi Jinping, is consolidating power.

      Meanwhile, the Globe and Mail has reported that Liu "is alleged to have helped arrange an attempted loan of more than $100 million" to Chinese businessman Ni Ritao.

      Ni bought the Skeena Cellulose mill in Prince Rupert.

      The mill is closed, and here's a key section of the article:

      The Globe and Mail has previously reported that B.C.’s former Jobs Minister, Pat Bell, forwarded an internal government e-mail discussing fraud allegations published in China against Mr. Ni, the Chinese businessman who purchased the mill. Mr. Bell passed the e-mail on to Bill Belsey, the vice-president of the B.C. Liberal Party, who also works for Mr. Ni and appears to have lobbied on behalf of the Chinese businessman and his company.

      The Globe and Mail also revealed that Vancouver-Quilchena's B.C. Liberal candidate, Andrew Wilkinson, was once a legal representative for a company controlled by Ni.

      There's no indication that Wilkinson had knowledge of any controversy swiring around Ni.

      Comments

      4 Comments

      John

      May 12, 2013 at 11:47pm

      The vice president of the British Columbia Government is working for China? Way past time to throw the Liberal bums out.

      Just Wondering

      May 13, 2013 at 5:59am

      Oh boy! And what else are we going to find out after the 14th.

      Raymond

      May 13, 2013 at 7:10am

      Wait a minute...the vice president of the BC Liberal Party is also a lobbyist??? Is that even legal?

      deb

      May 13, 2013 at 7:07pm

      Is that not conflict of interest???