Vancouver In her second column examining the murder of Vancouver student Amanda Zhao, Petti Fong examines the problems posed by the international nature of the case. The roadblocks facing the parents of Amanda Zhao in their search for answers have not just been judicial. Political, diplomatic and jurisdictional hurdles may have proved to be even bigger impediments to justice since the mainland Chinese student's murder near Vancouver in 2002. With the prime suspect, boyfriend Ang Li, having returned to his home in China, British Columbian police have had few tools at their disposal, thanks to the lack of an extradition deal between Ottawa and Beijing. The lack of a treaty has been highlighted in the past, most notably in the case of China's most-wanted fugitive, Lai Changxing. The alleged smuggler first surfaced in Canada nearly a decade ago but, since then, a series of courtroom challenges by his lawyers have blocked his deportation and there is no sign of a resolution that would see him bound for China any time soon. Foreign affairs sources have said Beijing is not interested in discussing a special agreement to send Li back to Canada to face charges of second-degree murder until Canada shows a willingness to hand back Lai. Justice has moved slowly in both cases. Zhao's mother, Yang Baoying, and father, Zhao Zisheng, say the struggle has left them in 'such extreme pain, we don't want to go on living'. Now, after years of waiting at home in China for something to happen, their poignant open letter to the Canadian government appears to have moved some politicians in this country. It is still only talk, but it is a sign of progress. 'The days of our lives are numbered,' wrote Ms Yang. 'If you don't bring justice to my daughter, we will not die in peace.' The New Democratic Party (NDP), an opposition party with elected members in both the provincial and federal governments, has now taken up their cause. The provincial government says it can go no further than laying charges against Li, and that it is up to the federal government to work out a diplomatic arrangement with China to force his return. That is not good enough, says Jenny Kwan, an NDP member of the provincial legislature. 'How are we ever going to ensure that justice is served for the murder of Amanda Zhao when we have the provincial and federal governments pointing fingers at each other?' she said. It is not just the NDP that has taken note of the case. A couple of weeks ago, the federal secretary of state for multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, met the justice minister to discuss Zhao's case and the murder charge against Li. Mr Kenney's personal interest in the case may make the difference. The young up-and-comer has not been shy when it comes to dealing with China. During a visit to the mainland in 2005 as part of a government trade mission, Mr Kenney ruffled feathers when he visited the home of purged former premier Zhao Ziyang , who had just died. He also successfully pushed for the granting of honorary Canadian citizenship to the Dalai Lama. As a loyal adviser to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it is unclear how far Mr Kenney is willing to push his government to take up Amanda Zhao's case. But the fact that her parents are being heard at all - and within the top circles of the federal government - is a sign that their five-year ordeal may not have been in vain. Tomorrow: New York
