Canadian visa for China's most wanted man
A Chinese man accused of smuggling as much as $10 billion worth of goods into Canada is fighting for the right to stay in the country.
Lai Changxing has admitted to Chinese authorities’ convictions of organising a network to smuggle the goods, including gasoline and cigarettes, with the aid of corrupt officials.
But Changxing claims his decade-long pursuit of
[COLOR=#0000ff]Canadian immigration[/COLOR] is not based on whether or not he committed the crimes, but on the possibility of his execution if he is deported to China.
Chinese news reports have described him as China’s number one fugitive.
Officials have assured the Canadian government that they will not subject Changxing to capital punishment if he returns. His lawyer, David Matas, argues that the promise cannot be trusted.
Changxing secured the right to
[COLOR=#0000ff]work in Canada[/COLOR] in February and has been pushing for permanent residency since his first application for asylum in 2002.