China: July 18, 2001

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Lai Changxing, the head of a Chinese smuggling ($6 billion worth) operation wanted in China, is in Canada trying to avoid extradition to China (where he faces execution.) He recently testified that he had played both sides and bribed sixteen Taiwanese intelligence officers with $2.1 million and obtained information on Taiwanese defenses. But many think he is doing this to obtain political asylum in Canada. If he was only guilty of smuggling, Canada is prepared to send him back to China. It will require further investigation to prove or disprove the allegations.