December 12, 2022
2 mins read

Chinese migration to Canada grows as discontent grows

Canada’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship received 9,925 applications from Chinese people for permanent residency during the third quarter…reports Asian Lite News

The number of Chinese applying to emigrate to Canada rose 15 per cent during the July-September quarter, the latest indication of widespread public dissatisfaction with life in China, particularly under the harsh anti-virus restrictions of the past three years that have hamstrung economic growth and curbed individual freedoms, RFA reported.

Canada’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship received 9,925 applications from Chinese people for permanent residency during the third quarter, up 15 per cent from the same quarter of 2021.

The exodus, mostly of middle-class families and high-earning corporate professionals who have the wherewithal to relocate, has been dubbed the “run” phenomenon, using a Chinese character that sounds a little like the English word “run”, RFA reported.

Lin Litong, who came to Canada as a student six years ago, said he’s not surprised by the trend.

“There was a saying that became popular 10 or 20 years ago — voting with one’s feet,” Lin told Radio Free Asia.

“There is a deep sense of discontent running through the entire business and political elite and all through the middle class.”

Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) supporters holding white blank sheets stage a protest in solidarity with the ongoing White Paper protests in China, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Photo)

“It’s about regaining a sense of safety and security,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if people say life is more complex in foreign countries… at least people feel safe.”

China’s “10-point” announcement on December 7 that it would loosen some aspects of the zero-Covid restrictions in the wake of mass protests across the country didn’t appear to have had much effect on keyword searches for “emigration”, which have been spiked several times since the Shanghai lockdown that began in late March.

While keyword searches on WeChat and Baidu saw spikes in searches for “10-point plan” and “no more PCR tests,” searches for “emigration” also doubled to nearly 120 million on the day of the announcement, RFA reported.

China announced strict curbs on “non-essential” overseas travel by its nationals in May, amid a surge in immigration inquiries after weeks of gruelling mass testing, lockdowns and forcible mass transportation to quarantine camps.

Reports have also surfaced on social media of people leaving China for foreign study having their passports clipped and invalidated as they boarded planes, and also from people who had been denied passports when they applied for them.

In April, Chinese residents were ordered to hand over any valid passports to the authorities for “safe-keeping”, RFA reported.

ALSO READ: China rejects UK report on its rights abuses

Previous Story

India, China Face-Off In Arunachal, ‘Minor Injuries’ On Both Sides

Next Story

Iran carries out 2nd execution over protests

Latest from -Top News

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with

Reeves urged to break manifesto pledges

Chancellor under pressure as £40bn fiscal gap looms, with critics warning against a “pasty tax” budget of piecemeal revenue raisers…reports Asian Lite News Rachel Reeves is facing growing unease inside Labour’s ranks

Starmer to Visit India on Wednesday

UK and India to cement strategic ties with new free trade agreement and deeper cooperation across defence, technology and climate Prime Minister Keir Starmer will make his first official visit to India

UAE, India join on child services

The United Arab Emirates and India have opened discussions to enhance cooperation in integrated child development services, focusing on early childhood education, nutrition, and child participation initiatives. The talks took place on
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China’s opposition to audit of labs dangerous, says White House

“Their position is irresponsible and frankly dangerous … It’s not

Doval, Yi discuss Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, border peace 

The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cross-border exchanges