Chinese police establish stations overseas in 'worrying' crackdown on citizens abroad
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Source: the globe and mail
the reports said, the Fuzhou Public Security Bureau (PSB) has also established more than 50 police service stations across five continents, including at least three in the Greater Toronto Area, according to a list shared by Chinese media.
Such offices are ostensibly to assist Chinese nationals with matters such as filing local police reports or renewing drivers licences. But reports in Chinese media and official government pronouncements suggest they often overstep that purview, even going so far as persuading alleged criminals to return to China to face justice, according to new research by Safeguard Defenders, a European NGO.
Read more: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-china-police-stations-citizen-crackdown/
I'm not sure why it is allowed to have Chinese Police operating in Canada.
there is one in dublin, ireland too
"
Me.
(35,454 posts)no_hypocrisy
(48,480 posts)Nor do they have jurisdiction with the Canadian government.
onetexan
(13,779 posts)dalton99a
(83,883 posts)Italian police told the paper they had not been notified of the stations opening in March but said it was not a reason for concern because it only deals with administrative practices and not public security.
Il Foglio nonetheless reported there was evidence the station was engaged in intelligence-gathering operations.
There are more than two million police officers in China. They are overseen by the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) part of the State Council, Chinas top administrative body and various provincial and county level public-security bureaus. The MSP, along with the Ministry of State Security, which handles intelligence and covert policing, are two of the most powerful bodies in the country, tasked with both maintaining law and order and public safety and protecting the ruling Communist Party.
That second implicit duty means Chinese police are highly politicized and are often tasked with controlling dissent. The police have broad powers to detain and punish people who step out of line, often imposing fines or house arrest arbitrarily. They work hand in hand with the countrys prosecutors, which means oversight is often lacking; allegations of abuse by police are common, particularly in rural areas.
Bernardo de La Paz
(50,642 posts)Fits right in with Xi's social credit score tyranny and extends it outside of China's borders, in addition to the already heavy surveillance of internet activity.
Even if there is no espionage (but I'm sure the "Service Stations" do it), even if none, their social credit score investigations would look a lot like espionage. Maybe even used as a cover for some types of espionage.
I wonder if family members get house arrest back home if an expat or student or worker gets out of line in a foreign country. They can't impose direct punishments in other countries, but they can make life hell for anyone in China they choose.
AllaN01Bear
(22,860 posts)Martin68
(24,411 posts)or in any other official capacity other than offering information to citizens.
dalton99a
(83,883 posts)Ford_Prefect
(8,191 posts)Martin68
(24,411 posts)No Chinese citizen would be stupid enough to even look through the doorway of such a place. I'm not sure I understand how they can "persuade" anybody of anything without kidnapping them and risking deportation or prison time. If they are investigating or monitoring anybody's behavior, they are breaking the law unless they have a PI's license.
Omaha Steve
(103,075 posts)OVER 12 hours old when posted.
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