The 25 year old Chinese born actress, Miss World Canada, Anastasia Lin did not receive an invitation letter from the Chinese government that would permit her to take part in the Miss World competition this December in Sanya, China. While the other contestants received their letters at the end of October, without the letter Lin was incapable to apply for a visa. The deadline to receive the letter came and went on Friday, after much speculations and anticipations! While talking to BBC, Anastasia revealed: "Miss World's official line is that if I don't make it to the opening ceremony, I probably can't enter this year. If I'm a few days late it might be OK, but the window is closing. At this point I don't want to give up."
Anastasia says that she has been deprived of the right to compete in this year's Miss World competition because she has spoken out about Chinese human rights abuses. She added: “On November 20th, if I don’t get my visa, theoretically I’m disqualified. But when I called Miss World and asked them what happens if I don’t get my invitation letter on the 20th, they didn’t give me a clear answer. They were like, ‘You aren’t disqualified, and you just can’t go.’ But what’s difference, right?”
Since winning the crown in May, Lin was eulogized by many for her forthright opposition to China's record of human rights violations. She has particularly focused on defending Falun Gong, a spiritual group that the Chinese government regards as a cult. Chinese law allows for the arrest of anyone suspected of supporting religious movements that aren't approved by the state.
Lin's family moved from China to Canada in 2003. Her curiosity in human rights began when she heard the stories of other Chinese citizens who said they were beleaguered by the government. Since then she has performed in films about the abuse of Falun Gong members and spoken about the subject to a US Congressional committee in July.
Ike Lalji, who is the chief executive of Miss World Canada, has said that Canada won't send a runner-up to China if Lin is incapable to attend as it would be too late since training starts on Saturday. Lin says that she has spoken to earlier Chinese Miss World contestants who concur with her stance on China's human rights policies, but didn't want to speak out for apprehension of risking their own ability to get a visa. She says: "I'm not speaking without fear, as I've seen the repercussions.”
Also Read : Anastasia's Family Threatened by Chinese Government
After she won the competition earlier this year, Lin's father was contacted by Chinese security forces. They threatened that there would be consequences if Lin continued to speak out in this matter. As her father still lives in China, Lin is worried. She reveals: "Dad's really scared. He doesn't really dare to talk to me as he worries his phone is tapped. He doesn't speak his mind anymore." She wanted to use her position with Miss World to highlight the issue and defend the Chinese people's right to free speech, but considering the present circumstances, it seems to go in vain. She dejectedly says: "I'm alone and don't even have any family around me, so it's very difficult. Miss World is an international organization, and if organizations like this don't speak up against the bullying of their own contestants it will continue. China knows it works and they'll just use it again and again until someone stands up to them."
Regardless of whether Lin gains the right to compete or not, she has said that she will employ her position to speak out for human rights. After failing to receive papers on Friday, she is taking into consideration a petition to protest against the decision. She says: "If I'm able to go to China, I want the people to see me. They already know about me and my story as they can go around the firewall. I want them to see I've been true to my conscience, and that they can do it too."
Also Read : Anastasia Lin crowned Miss World Canada 2015