Congratulations to 董广平 Dong Guangping on finally arriving in Canada yesterday evening after an extraordinary eleven-year struggle for freedom.

I have known Dong for decades. He has always stood out for his fierce pursuit of freedom, his resilience in the face of persecution, and his unwavering commitment to keeping the memory of Tiananmen alive. A former police officer imprisoned repeatedly for supporting the victims of June 4, he never stopped seeking a place where he could live in freedom and reunite with his family.

Dong’s road to safety was almost unimaginable. In 2015, he and his family fled to Thailand and obtained UN refugee status, but he was forcibly returned to China while his wife and children were resettled in Canada. In 2019, he attempted to swim across the Taiwan Strait, but the effort failed. Escaping again in 2022, he spent more than two years hiding in Vietnam before being deported back to China. This spring, he undertook his fourth and most desperate escape, crossing the Yellow Sea alone in a small inflatable boat and drifting for some thirty hours before being rescued by the South Korean Coast Guard.

Deep thanks to the Canadian and Korean governments, as well as the many lawyers and activists who helped make this rescue possible, including Korean attorney Kim Ju-gwang, human rights activist Sheng Xue, and numerous friends in Canada and South Korea who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Since 1989, Canada has provided sanctuary to generations of Chinese dissidents and Hong Kong democracy advocates, offering them not only safety but also the opportunity to continue speaking out for freedom and human dignity. Dong Guangping’s arrival is another proud chapter in that tradition.

After so many setbacks and sacrifices, Dong’s safe arrival in Canada is a rare victory for conscience, courage, and perseverance. Freedom prevails.

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