Security Secretary Tom Tugendhat says any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK &# 39; will not endure' Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket
China has been accused by the government of «unacceptable intimidation» of Chinese communities in the UK after the UK set up secret police stations overseas to monitor them.
Tom Tugendhat, Security Minister, told MPs that the Chinese closed the stations after police were sent to investigate their operations. The Foreign Office has informed the Chinese Embassy that any other stations will be banned.
“Let me be clear, any attempt by any foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK is unacceptable. This is an insidious threat to our democracy and basic human rights,” he said.
It is alleged that unofficial police stations in Croydon, Glasgow, Hendon, north London and Belfast have been set up to hunt down and blackmail Chinese citizens into returning home.
They were set up according to researchers at the non-profit Safeguard Defenders. as part of a network of 54 «overseas police centers» around the world over the past few years as Beijing seeks to expand China's influence overseas.
«Police stations» set up without permission
China claims that «police sites» were set up to «execute administrative tasks» to support overseas Chinese citizens.
However, in a statement to MPs, Mr. Tugendhat said reports said they were also being used to «monitor and harass diaspora communities and, in some cases, force people to return to China outside legal channels.»
< p>He added: “These ‘police stations’ were set up without our permission and their presence, no matter what low-level administrative activities they performed, will harass and intimidate those who left China and sought security and freedom here in the UK. This is unacceptable.
“Chinese authorities routinely criticize others for what they see as interference in their internal affairs. However, they felt they could open sites without attribution without consulting the UK government. This pattern is said to have been repeated all over the world.»
All stations are «permanently closed»
The Foreign Ministry issued a diplomatic protest to the Chinese over the police stations, saying they were unacceptable and should not operate. in any form.
“The Chinese Embassy subsequently responded that all such stations were permanently closed. Any further allegations will be promptly investigated in accordance with UK law,” said Mr Tugendhat.
The stations appeared to have closed by the time the police arrived to check. “According to our assessment, the police and public control had an overwhelming impact on any administrative functions that these facilities could perform,” said Mr. Tugendhat.
According to the data, the police stations are run by Chinese public associations in different countries. Safeguard Defenders.
They are often run from innocuous places such as Chinese restaurants or convenience stores or business association offices.
One of the two police «service» stations in London is registered as a real estate agency . Another one in Glasgow is a Chinese restaurant.
The Telegraph visited a north London real estate agency that denied any connection. But they said the office is also being used by a law firm. His website states that he deals primarily with immigration to China.
Another food delivery office in Croydon said to be part of the chain also dropped links when visited by a reporter.
Chinese firms may be denied access to government contracts
Some Chinese firms face ban from government contracts under new powers to crack down on suppliers who pose a threat to national security.
An amendment to the procurement bill, which is moving through parliament, would block bidders from sensitive sectors, such as defense if they are found to be hostile to the UK.
The second amendment, introduced by the government, provides for the creation of a special unit that will recommend which companies should be excluded.
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