CANADALAND Death by Kayak: a True Spy Story
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Dec 10, 2025 
Jan Wong, a veteran journalist with insights into transnational repression, delves into the mysterious death of dissident artist Hua Yong, who allegedly fell victim to a Chinese plot. The discussion reveals shocking tactics like deepfake harassment targeting Canadian dissidents. Wong explains the implications for trust within the diaspora and critiques Canada’s muted political response to threats from Beijing. They also touch on the grim state of freelance journalism, highlighting low pay for opinion pieces in a changing media landscape.
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Undercover Agent 'Eric' Befriended The Artist
- 'Eric' posed as a fellow revolutionary to befriend Hua Yong and recruited him in person and online.
- Eric later revealed thousands of messages and documents showing his long undercover role for Chinese agents.
Pattern Of Harassment Suggests Targeting
- Jan Wong and Jesse Brown suggest multiple incidents around Hua Yong (poisoning, yacht near-miss) may indicate sustained targeting.
- Eric admits he can't prove murder but media verified his 15-year undercover history.
How Cross-Border Reporting Uncovered It
- The story first appeared in Australian media and later surfaced in Radio-Canada's documentary via an international journalists' consortium.
- Jesse Brown highlights how cross-border reporting revealed details not widely covered in Canadian English media.