WINNIPEG - A wealthy Vancouver real estate developer has won a legal battle in his ongoing effort to avoid deportation to China.

 

The Federal Court of Canada has ruled Mo Yeung Ching, also known as Michael Ching, is entitled to a new hearing in his claim for refugee status.

 

Ching was denied a refugee claim last year because he is wanted in China on corruption charges stemming from a 1997 land deal in that country.

 

A refugee board panel had said Ching is inadmissible to Canada under a section of law that bans people who face serious criminal charges overseas.

Ching's lawyer appealed and told court Ching was being set up because of political infighting with the Communist Party in China.

 

The Federal Court agreed, calling the evidence against Ching "fuzzy" and "third-hand."