Canadian Miss World contestant misguided by her values

Canada's Miss World contestant Anastasia Lin was prevented in Hong Kong from boarding a flight to Sanya, Hainan Province, being told that she would not be granted a visa-on-arrival to the city where the beauty pageant finals are to be held. Lin planned to stay in Hong Kong for a few days and meet with some human rights activists before returning to Canada. Thus, she is unlikely to attend the finals on December 19. 

The news has caught attention of the Western media. CNN reported it with the headline "Canada's Miss World contestant Anastasia Lin: China's barred me." She told reporters, "If they start to censor beauty pageants - how pathetic is that?"

It's unclear whether she made the complaints because she is outspoken or sophisticated. When such a 25-year pretty girl grumbles that she is denied a visa for speaking the truth and criticizing the Chinese government, her words can easily gain sympathy from the Western public that already holds prejudices against China. 

But the true story is different. Lin was reportedly born in China's Hunan Province in 1990 and moved to Canada when she was 13. She then became an actress and was cast in several films and TV plays invested by the cult Falun Gong. She also backed activists calling for independence of Xinjiang and Tibet, and in July testified at a US congressional hearing on religious persecution in China. Lin pursued a path different from most young performers by labeling herself as a human rights activist and being outspoken against China. 

Maybe the whole episode can be seen from a different perspective since usually a girl in her 20s can't be too evil-minded. Probably because Lin moved to Canada at a young age, she lacks reasonable understanding of the country where she was born. She may not know that all performers should avoid being involved in radical political issues in the globalized times.

There are always a few people in the entertainment circle that make a name by playing political tricks. But there are principles to be upheld in any social sphere. Lin has to pay a cost for being tangled with hostile forces against China. She must have learned that she couldn't play up to her circle in Canada through defaming China and then strive to reach the broad mainland market.   

Recently some performers in Hong Kong and Taiwan who had similar behavior as Lin were asked to stay away from the mainland, which was a true voice of the society. Lin needs to learn to be responsible for her words and deeds, and for the possible consequences of the path chosen based on her own values.