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China/Canada: Whether there was an official delegation from the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the 2002 World Youth Day events in Toronto

According to the World Youth Day Secretariat in Toronto, a total of 243 delegates registered from the People's Republic of China to participate in the 2002 World Youth Day events held in Toronto (8 Jan. 2003). However, according to the administrative assistant to the priest responsible for delegate registration, this does not necessarily represent the actual number of delegates who participated (World Youth Day Secretariat 8 Jan. 2003).

The Toronto Star reported that China only sent one delegate (11 Aug. 2002). The article stated that one reason for this may have been that Chinese delegates were among those required to obtain visas, and therefore, according to the World Youth Day director of communications, "'the number of people who actually came was below those who had [registered]'" (The Toronto Star 11 Aug. 2002).

The World Youth Day Secretariat also stated that the visa requirements resulted in the actual number of persons participating being lower than the total number of persons who registered (8 Jan. 2003). Additionally, the Secretariat stated that it did not collect information concerning the number of actual participants and that such information is not available (World Youth Day Secretariat 8 Jan. 2003).

Several news reports stated that a Chinese representative was among the fourteen youths who travelled to Strawberry Island to have lunch with the Pope on 26 July 2002 (CBCP 11 Aug. 2002; AP 26 July 2002; Reuters 26 July 2002; Daughters of St. Paul 25 July 2002).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

The Associated Press (AP). 26 July 2002. Michael Kovrig. "Pope Joins 14 Young People for Picnic on Island Retreat." (NEXIS)

Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). 11 August 2002. "Pope Joins 800,000 Youths in Toronto for 17th World Youth Day." <http://www.cbcponline.org/news/Archives/aug2002/news5-aug11.html> [Accessed 8 Jan. 2003]

Daughters of St. Paul. 25 July 2002. "Pope Takes a Boat Ride on Lake Simcoe." <http://www.daughtersofstpaul.com/wyd02/wyddaybyday25c.html> [Accessed 8 Jan. 2003]

Reuters News Service. 26 July 2002. "Pope Treats 14 Young People to Lunch." <http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/special/papalvisit/1510091> [Accessed 8 Jan. 2003]

The Toronto Star. 11 August 2002. Nicolaas van Rijn. "147 Nations Present for Youth Day." (NEXIS)

World Youth Day Secretariat, Toronto. 8 January 2003. Telephone interview with the administrative assistant to the priest responsible for 2002 World Youth Day delegate registration.

Additional Sources Consulted

World News Connection

Internet sites, including:

City of Toronto

EWTN Global Catholic Network

World Youth Day (official Website)

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