The NGO Safeguard has identified them in 30 European countries; four in Italy alone. Established inside embassies and consulates. Enquiries have already been launched by the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland. The Chinese defend themselves: they are used to solve bureaucratic problems. Humanitarian groups: used to monitor and silence dissidents living abroad.
Berlin (AsiaNews) - The investigation into the existence in Europe of dozens of "extraterritorial" police stations allegedly operated by China in its diplomatic offices is widening. The Netherlands, where the investigation began in recent days, followed by Spain and Ireland have now been joined by Germany.
The German spotlight is on the possible presence of Chinese police personnel in Frankfurt without the necessary authorisations. It all stems from research published last month by the Spanish NGO Safeguard, according to which Beijing has set up illegal security posts in 30 European countries (four in Italy: Rome, Milan, Florence and Prato).
According to the Vienna Convention, which China has also signed, diplomatic services must be provided by embassies and consulates recognised by host governments.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is on the defensive. It claims that the incriminated police stations are in line with international law and serve to speed up the process of renewing car licences for its citizens living abroad, as well as to fight transnational crime.
According to several humanitarian groups, China's unregistered facilities are actually used to monitor and silence Chinese political opponents and dissidents. Safeguard claims that Beijing agents involved in these operations have 'encouraged' up to 230,000 compatriots to repatriate, often to face trials.