Chinese ‘police stations’ in UK are ‘unacceptable’, says safety minister Tom Tugendhat

The Chinese embassy has been advised operating abroad police stations within the UK is “unacceptable” and that “they must not operate in any form”.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat has set out the findings of an investigation into claims of unofficial stations getting used to observe dispersed communities and coerce folks to return to China.

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Mr Tugendhat stated police had visited 4 places the place the websites the place allegedly working “to consider whether any laws have been broken and whether any further action should be taken”.

He stated no proof of criminal activity on behalf of the Chinese state had been discovered – however the stations had been arrange “without consulting the UK government”.

Mr Tugendhat stated: “We assess that police and public scrutiny have had a suppressive impact on any administrative functions these sites may have had.

“However, these ‘police service stations’ had been established with out our permission and their presence, no matter no matter low stage administrative exercise they had been performing, can have apprehensive and intimidated those that have left China and sought security and freedom right here within the UK. This is unacceptable.”

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Mr Tugendhat stated the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have advised the Chinese embassy that “any functions related to such ‘police service stations’ in the UK are unacceptable and that they must not operate in any form”.

“He added: The Chinese embassy have subsequently responded that all such stations have closed permanently.

“Any additional allegations can be swiftly investigated consistent with UK legislation.”

The probe was launched amid claims there were Chinese overseas police stations operating in Croydon, Glasgow and Hendon as well as in Belfast and being used to “monitor and harass diaspora communities and, in some instances, to coerce folks to return to China outdoors of legit channels”.

China has beforehand denied working abroad police stations.

But human rights group Safeguard Defenders says it has recognized 110 world wide.

Mr Tughendhat stated: “The Chinese authorities regularly criticise others for what they see as interference in their internal affairs. Yet, they felt able to open unattributed sites without consulting the UK government. It is alleged that this was a pattern repeated around the world.”