China declares Miss World Canada contestant 'persona non grata'
China considers Canada’s Miss World contestant, Anastasia Lin, non grata, or unwelcome, putting to rest any hopes she had of travelling to the country for the world championship that is already under way in the resort of Sanya.
Ms. Lin had been waiting for Beijing to grant her a visa, even though the deadline for entry had passed on Nov. 20.
A 25-year-old actress and University of Toronto graduate, Ms. Lin has been vocal about Chinese political repression throughout most of her campaign leading up her coronation as Miss World Canada last May. The lingering question after she qualified for the big contest is whether China, which was in the crosshairs of her criticism, would send her the visa that would allow her to participate in the event.
Up until last night, China’s position on the controversy was vague. Responding to a Globe and Mail query about Ms. Lin’s status, however, the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said that “China does not allow any persona non grata to come to China,” not mentioning Ms. Lin by name.
Spokesman Yundong Yang cited its decision as being part of his country’s sovereign prerogative, adding that “I simply do not understand why some people pay special attention to this matter and have raised it repeatedly.”
Ms. Lin could not be reached for comment.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/miss-world-canada-deemed-unwelcome-by-china-ending-contest-hopes/article27476426/
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário