Miss World 2015: Chinese-Blooded Miss Canada Barred From Entering China for Pageant
Of all the contestants for this year's Miss World pageant, China-born contestant Anastasia Lin -- who represents Canada -- was denied of entrance in her land of origin because she appears to be a threat for the Communist country.
In a report by New York Times, the 25-year-old participant was left behind by her other fellow candidates. The Chinese government barred her from entering Hainan for the month-long pageant hosted by her previous homeland.
Angry and disappointed, the Chinese émigré told the publication that she was not surprised of the fact that China halted her from going inside the country's borders. Yet, she insisted that she has "every right to be at the event."
"It's kind of sad. I mean, I'm just an acting student and a beauty queen. What could they possibly be so afraid of?" Lin said through a telephone call.
Aside from being an actress, beauty queen and a classically trained pianist, Lin is also an advocate against China's malpractices regarding human rights and religious freedom.
Apparently, the outspoken Torontonian beauty has been declared a persona non-grata by China because she has been practicing Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned in China. Falun Gong was once accepted in China until it was deemed as an "evil cult."
In attempt to enter the Chinese borders, she discreetly booked a flight to China just so she could wear her gown and sash to represent Canada. However, to no avail after half-a-day flight to Hong Kong, she ended up with disappointment.
"It's like being an Olympic athlete -- you train so hard for something like this," Lin told The Globe and Mail. "I came not trying to provoke anyone -- I sincerely just wanted to participate in that fricking pageant."
Canada-based Chinese Embassy in Ottawa did not specifically give a comment regarding Lin's case. However, in a statement, the agency said: "China welcomes all lawful activities organized in China by international organizations or agencies, including the Miss World pageant. But China does not allow any persona non grata to come to China."
Lin explained that her advocacy is to help "voiceless" Chinese who are ordered to face imprisonment and death just because they have certain beliefs and spiritual values that go against what the government implements.
"It's a big state that everyone feels they can't afford to speak out against," she added during the interview. "Often I feel I'm a lonely voice."
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