The Dutch overseas ministry stated it was once investigating reviews that China had arrange two “illegal police stations” within the Netherlands to observe dissidents.
According to Dutch media reviews, two Chinese “posts” had been working in Amsterdam and Rotterdam since 2018.
The “police stations” allegedly declare to supply diplomatic help to Chinese nationals however have no longer been registered with the Dutch executive.
NGOs have claimed that the amenities are if truth be told utilized by Beijing to observe and silence political warring parties and dissidents in a foreign country, the use of former army and intelligence officials as staff.
China’s executive stated the reviews have been “completely false”.
“The Dutch ministers of justice and foreign affairs have taken note of the reports … and take the matter very seriously,” ministry spokesman Maxime Hovenkamp instructed AFP.
“The foreign ministry is currently investigating the activities of the so-called police stations. When we have more clarity on this, appropriate measures will be taken”.
In September, the Spanish human rights organisation Safeguard Defenders reported that a minimum of 36 Chinese “police stations” had been arrange in Europe.
A contemporary investigation was once revealed on Wednesday by way of RTL Nieuws and the investigative journalism platform Follow the Money.
Chinese Foreign affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin stated that the “stations” lend a hand Chinese nationals renew their riding licences or document adjustments of their civil standing.
“Due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, many overseas Chinese citizens are unable to return to China in time to apply for driver’s license renewal and other services,” he instructed journalists on Wednesday.
“Chinese public security stations resolutely crackdown on various transnational criminal activities in accordance with the law, strictly abide by international law and fully respect the judicial sovereignty of other countries.”
Diplomatic products and services are typically performed by way of recognised embassies or consulates underneath the world Vienna Convention — signed by way of greater than 100 nations together with each China and the Netherlands.
