在加国国庆日，我们回顾追求民主的移民征程

 

2008年金融危机给全球经济带来灾难，而自此强权统治势力也不断上升。他们在国际舞台上频频亮相，掀起一股席卷了俄罗斯和中国，到埃及和土耳其等多国的强权主义浪潮。随着川普总统加入强权统治阵营并不断在美国推出违反人权法规，自由民主制度遭到前所未有的威胁，甚至面临被解体的风险。

Ever since 2008 financial crisis that launched a decade of economic turmoil across the world, strongman rulers have been on the rise, throwing their weight around on the global stage and creating an authoritarian wave that has swept many countries – from Russia and China to Egypt and Turkey. With Trump eagerly joining the strongmen allies and adopting policies trampling on human rights, the liberal democracy faces unprecedented crisis and is on the verge of unraveling. 

而对我们这些逃离专制政权而拥抱民主自由的人士来说，这是一难以接受的现实。如果说文革已是遥远的过去，天安门广场则给我们带来太多，太痛苦的记忆。那些手无寸铁的无辜学生们惨遭无情政府的部队镇压的场景历历在目，悲愤之下，我们毅然决然地加入了为了寻求民主而奔向大洋彼岸的学生阵营。

It is the most disturbing reality for many of us who fled the authoritarian regime to embrace democracy. If the Cultural Revolution was a too distant past, then Tiananmen Square was the vivid, painful memories. After the army sent by the ruthless government killed innocent and defenseless students, we joined a flood of youths going forth to seek the land of freedom.

但从托福考试失败到被使馆屡次拒签，通往自由的道路上充满失败和风险。有些人曾离家弃子，试图在公务出差的旅途中奔向自由国度，另一些人则花费毕生积蓄，冒着生命危险以求偷渡离境。我们挑灯夜战，卧雪眠霜，心存一颗追求解放和自由的信念；我们背井离乡，铤而走险，靠的是要摆脱专制政府统治的果敢和决心。

However, setbacks and failures were the norms on the journey to the free world, from disappointing TOFEL test results to repeated rejections by visa officers at the embassy. Some have made attempts to flee from business trips abroad -- leaving behind their families and loved ones, while others tried to have themselves smuggled overseas -- risking their lives and at the expense of their entire life savings.  It seemed that nothing could stop us from our passionate pursuit of liberty and freedom, and our fervent desire to run away from an autocratic regime.

事实一次又一次地证明，加拿大的确是一个充满民主和自由的国度。作为移民的我们在这一自由王国里享受了有生以来从未获得的民主空间。我们得以追求我们选择的宗教信仰，可以自由地表达我们不同的政治见解，公开对任何政党领袖的批评，指责。当在几个星期前，我们在选票箱前行使民主权利而选出与华裔传统思维最合拍的政党时，我们不禁喜笑颜开，高呼“民主万岁！”

Time and time again, the country of freedom has proven that it has not failed us. Saluted as a champion of liberal democracy, Canada has so much to offer. Here we enjoyed the right to practice our religion, to express different political opinions, and to be critical against any party leaders. A few weeks ago, we were shouting with joy that democracy prevailed as we elected a provincial government with policies resonating with our values!

但就在我们刚刚尝到民主制度甜头的时候，专制政权却逐渐成为国际上的主导势力。中国经济的迅速崛起给中国政府披金戴银，让其以历史上最大功臣自居，也使它在世界舞台上春风得意，并得以频频显示其威力。中国经济的巨大飞跃也在国内掀起从未有过的爱国热潮，使当权者的专制行径得以进一步强化和扩张，使其更有资本利用残酷手段巩固势力，并无情打压异见分子。

However, at a time when we start to reap the benefits of democracy, the rise of authoritarian rulers has become a dominant trend in the world. The rapid growth of the Chinese economy has created the most glorious moment for its government in history, putting it at the front and the center of the global stage. A fervent nationalism in China has only strengthened the position and power of the dictatorship, allowing it to make more chilling grabs for absolute power and to eradicate political dissidents ruthlessly.

在国内有着恶劣人权纪录的中国当局通过贿赂加国政客，兼并加国企业，开动宣传机器及误导大众等手段向加国扩展其政治影响力。 在这一势力影响下，加国民主受到威胁，自由言论受到打压。许多华裔加国人士都受到中国在加拿大不断上升势力的威胁。加国新闻从业者，政治活动家及其他人士称他们被迫为中国政府歌功颂德，而任何批评中国之声音都会遭到中国政府及其支持者们的抨击，谴责。

The authoritarian government that has dismal human rights record at home is making efforts to exert influences abroad – by bribing our politicians, acquiring Canadian firms, and disinforming the public. Democracy in Canada faces threats and freedom of speech is in peril. Many Chinese Canadians feel intimidated by China’s rising clout wielded in Canada. Journalists, activists, and others believe that they are under the increasing pressure to promote the interest of the Chinese government.  Any critical opinions towards China would draw backlash and condemnations from its government and its supporters. 

日益猖獗的专制势力让我们这些曾为追求自由而不惜一切的移民们不寒而栗。但它却动摇不了我们捍卫民主权益的坚定信仰。正是民主的火炬当初让我们赴汤蹈火，在所不惜。在加拿大庆祝151年国庆之际，我们以排除一切外来势力捍卫加国民主的决心和信念为加国国庆献礼！

The reality that authoritarianism is making a come back creates a chilling effect on many of us who poured blood, sweats, and tears on their journey to Canada. However, it could never shake our fundamental beliefs we’ve held since we set down our roots in this land decades ago. As Canada celebrates its 151 birthday, we do so with our determination that we will not allow any foreign power to undermine democracy in this country that we now call home.