Chinese police establish stations overseas in 'worrying' crackdown on citizens abroad

[catsudon]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

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 driver’s 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/

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I'm not sure why it is allowed to have Chinese Police operating in Canada.

there is one in dublin, ireland too
"

[Me.]

1. Better Not Try That Here

[no_hypocrisy]

2. How is that possible? These "local police stations" aren't part of the Embassy.

Nor do they have jurisdiction with the Canadian government.

[onetexan]

5. Exactly. Sounds like a front for spying.

[dalton99a]

3. Xi's spies and thugs should be kicked out

Italian newspaper Il Foglio reported last week on a news release sent out to Chinese residents in Tuscany, informing them of a new “Fuzhou Overseas Police Service Station” at an address in the city of Prato shared with the Cultural Association of the Fujian Chinese Community in Italy.

Italian police told the paper they had not been notified of the station’s 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, China’s 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 country’s prosecutors, which means oversight is often lacking; allegations of abuse by police are common, particularly in rural areas.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

6. I think it is controlling dissent, the second "implicit duty" of the police that is key here

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]

4. so, who gave them autharizaton to establish these substations.

[Martin68]

10. I don't think they need authorization unless they are acting in the capacity of police, diplomats,

or in any other official capacity other than offering information to citizens.

[dalton99a]

7. List of Chinese police "service stations":

[Ford_Prefect]

8. This an abuse of diplomatic courtesy. They should be arrested and deported without delay.

[Martin68]

9. As Chinese police, they have no jurisdiction in any other country.

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]

11. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

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