The FBI has arrested two men in New York accused of operating an unofficial police station on behalf of Chinese authorities, highlighting a global network of covert overseas outposts. Lu Jianwang and Chen Jinping, both US citizens, are alleged to have run the operation from a Fujianese community centre in Chinatown, following a raid in October 2022.
Similar investigations are underway in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada. UK Home Office minister Chris Philp described the outposts as 'of great concern'. According to human rights group Safeguard Defenders, there are 102 such stations across 53 countries, including Italy, France, and Britain.
The stations originated from pilot programmes launched by Chinese regional public security bureaus in cities like Nantong and Wenzhou, areas with large emigrant populations. They are not staffed by actual police officers but aim to assist Chinese citizens with administrative tasks, such as renewing driving licences.
However, reports indicate involvement in 'persuade to return' operations, pressuring criminal suspects or dissidents to return to China. In 2021, a Chinese ministry official claimed 210,000 people were persuaded to return, mostly related to telecoms fraud. Critics like Laura Harth of Safeguard Defenders argue these stations are part of broader transnational repression campaigns.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin denied the existence of overseas police stations, stating 'there is no such thing'. Nonetheless, the US has also charged 40 Chinese police officers with running an internet troll operation against dissidents, underscoring the extent of Beijing's overseas activities.
