Lin is a follower of the spiritual group Falun Gong, and has voiced her opposition to China’s religious policy, The Guardian reported.The meditation practices of Falun Gong are banned by China’s ruling Communist Party..
“The Chinese government has barred me from the competition for political reasons. They are trying to punish me for my beliefs and prevent me from speaking out about human rights issues,” Lin said in her statement.
Lin said the Chinese government uses the threat of visa denials to punish dissidents with “unapproved views, and to bring academics and journalists to heel.”
Lin told The Guardian her stand against political repression already is affecting her family, including her father who still lives in China’s Hunan province.
She said security agents had already approached her father, and a business partner has backed off from a deal, fearful of the consequences.
Lin moved to Canada with her mother when she was 13.
On Thursday, Lin said she was not given an explanation on why she was denied, and the Chinese embassy in Ottawa said “China does not allow any persona non grata to come to China,” without mentioning Lin by name.
Lin said in her statement, “Hundreds of thousands of peaceful and law-abiding people have been imprisoned and tortured, and many have died or disappeared in custody after they refused to renounce their beliefs and swear allegiance to the Communist Party.” Lin lauded Chinese activists who speak out.
The beauty pageant contestant is to star in a Canadian film about an imprisoned Falun Gong practitioner.
