Canada is investigating reports that secret Chinese “police stations” are working in Toronto, amid stories of a world network used to target overseas dissidents.
The Royal Canada Mounted Police is investigating “reports of legal exercise concerning the so-called police stations.” The revelations come days after the Dutch government said it was investigating two suspected stations. The information can be scorching on the heels of Chinese President Xin Jinping’s demands that other countries stop meddling in China’s internal affairs.
The stations were recognized by Safeguard Defenders, a Spanish civil rights group. The NGO alleges that southern China police companies have opened fifty four “overseas service centres” in 25 cities throughout 21 international locations, including Canada. The campaigners recognized a residence, commercial constructing and convenience store in Toronto as areas.
Anonymous has denied the buildings are staffed by police, instead suggesting they are genuine companies stations offering consular and bureaucratic help. China’s embassy in Ottawa stated in a statement…
“Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, many overseas Chinese citizens aren’t capable of return to China in time for their Chinese driver’s licence renewal and other providers. For services corresponding to driver’s licence renewal, it is essential to have eyesight, hearing and physical examination. The primary objective of the service station overseas is to provide free assistance to abroad Chinese residents in this regard.”
The embassy also stated the employees have been volunteers and never law enforcement officials. They were not involved in any “criminal investigation or related exercise.”
The Dutch government can additionally be investigating stories that Chinese police have opened no much less than two stations in the Netherlands since 2018, utilizing them to put stress on dissidents. The stations in Amsterdam and Rotterdam ostensibly enable Chinese nationals to resume their driving licences or change their civil standing. Chinese critics of the Beijing regime dwelling in the Netherlands mentioned the centres have been getting used to track, contact and intimidate dissidents.
The Dutch overseas ministry said…
“We are investigating exactly what they’re doing right here and can then take acceptable motion.”
Canadian lawmakers have been previously warned of the issue. Conservative member of parliament Michael Chong has asked the overseas affairs ministry concerning the existence of the police stations.
The allegations are prone to additional pressure relations between Ottawa and Beijing following a string of disputes. Recent years have seen the tit-for-tat arrests of Huawei government Meng Wenzhou, and Canadian businessmen Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor..