Members of Parliament have called for the alleged Chinese police stations in the UK to be shut down and those operating them to be kicked out of the country. The claims follow reports of intimidation and coercion of Chinese dissidents by alleged Chinese agents operating out of sites in London, Glasgow, and Belfast. Home Office minister Chris Philp confirmed that law enforcement agencies are investigating the allegations, describing them as “of great concern”. The UK government is aware of approximately 100 alleged stations around the world but has yet to take decisive action.
One of the alleged stations is linked to Chinese businessman Ruiyou Lin, 40, who has organized Conservative Party fundraising dinners and been photographed alongside prime ministers. Lin has denied working for China, claiming that the allegations are an attempt to attack him personally or his business. He has also volunteered to help Chinese expats update their driving licenses.
The Times reported that Lin’s work has been linked to a “secret police station” in Croydon, which allegedly seeks to intimidate Chinese dissidents. Alison Thewliss, SNP home affairs spokeswoman, has expressed concerns for the safety of the Chinese community in Scotland, as one of the alleged stations is located in her Glasgow Central constituency.
Chinese businessman Ruiyou Lin (Via Ruiyou Lin/Twitter)
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, has expressed frustration at the UK government’s response to the issue, stating that the country is vulnerable to Chinese transnational repression when it failed to take action against the alleged stations. She also pointed out that other countries, such as the US and the Netherlands, have taken visible action against similar operations.
Conservative MP Bob Seely suggested that the government should expel diplomats engaged in illegal activities, while Conservative former minister Simon Clarke called for China to be designated as a formal threat to the UK’s interests in its security architecture.
The issue has sparked concerns about the UK’s handling of transnational repression and its ability to protect its citizens from authoritarian governments.
