The Canadian police have started their investigation into claims of Chinese “police service stations” in Montreal, Quebec, that claimed to have been established to harass or intimidate Chinese origin people living in the country.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said that they had received inputs about two sites being operated as police stations.

China has denied these accusations,&nbsp;saying&nbsp;that they are just "service centres" for its nationals overseas.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said that his government is "very concerned about" this issue.

"We're in the process of making sure the RCMP is following up on this and that our intelligence systems are taking this seriously," he said, according to BBC.

The move comes a year after a Spanish NGO Safeguard Defenders, which monitors disappearances in China, claimed in its report that there at least 100 such police stations operating across the globe in 53 countries, including the UK and the US.

They claimed that the stations are part of efforts by China's regime to "harass, threaten, intimidate and force targets to return to China for persecution".

In the aftermath of the report, several countries including the US and the Netherlands conducted similar probes.

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It comes amidst claims of Chinese interference in Canada's internal affairs, including accusations by the government that Beijing tried to influence the last two Canadian elections. China has denied those accusations.

In a statement, the RCMP in Quebec said, “We are carrying out police actions aimed at detecting and disrupting these foreign state-backed criminal activities, which may threaten the safety of persons living in Canada."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/showing-middle-finger-a-constitutional-right-in-canada-judge-declares-in-a-26-page-decision-570473">Showing middle finger a constitutional right in Canada, judge declares in a 26-page decision</a>

The police agency had launched a similar investigation in Toronto in November following reports of Chinese "police service stations". However, the RCMP in Ontario did provide any information related to that probe when it was asked on Thursday.

Last week, RCMP's deputy commissioner for federal policing Michael Duheme told a parliamentary committee that the agency has "taken overt actions" that led to the ceasing of operations at four alleged Chinese police stations.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Canadian police have started their investigation into claims of Chinese “police service stations” in Montreal, Quebec, that claimed to have been established to harass or intimidate Chinese origin people living in the country.

The Canadian police have started their investigation into claims of Chinese “police service stations” in Montreal, Quebec, that claimed to have been established to harass or intimidate Chinese origin people living in the country. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said that they had received inputs about two sites being operated as police stations. China has denied these accusations, saying that they are just "service centres" for its nationals overseas. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said that his government is "very concerned about" this issue. "We're in the process of making sure the RCMP is following up on this and that our intelligence systems are taking this seriously," he said, according to BBC. The move comes a year after a Spanish NGO Safeguard Defenders, which monitors disappearances in China, claimed in its report that there at least 100 such police stations operating across the globe in 53 countries, including the UK and the US. They claimed that the stations are part of efforts by China's regime to "harass, threaten, intimidate and force targets to return to China for persecution". In the aftermath of the report, several countries including the US and the Netherlands conducted similar probes. Also read | Stormy Daniels-Trump case: Former president might soon be indicted in the matter It comes amidst claims of Chinese interference in Canada's internal affairs, including accusations by the government that Beijing tried to influence the last two Canadian elections. China has denied those accusations. In a statement, the RCMP in Quebec said, “We are carrying out police actions aimed at detecting and disrupting these foreign state-backed criminal activities, which may threaten the safety of persons living in Canada." Also read | Showing middle finger a constitutional right in Canada, judge declares in a 26-page decision The police agency had launched a similar investigation in Toronto in November following reports of Chinese "police service stations". However, the RCMP in Ontario did provide any information related to that probe when it was asked on Thursday. Last week, RCMP's deputy commissioner for federal policing Michael Duheme told a parliamentary committee that the agency has "taken overt actions" that led to the ceasing of operations at four alleged Chinese police stations. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Canadian police launch probe into alleged Chinese police stations in Montreal city

Chinese police outposts are operating illegally in New York's Chinatown, and if reports are to be believed, they are also investigating crimes and gathering intelligence without working with regional authorities. Is China using these outposts to intimidate its ethnic minority as a means of demonstrating its ability to wield power even outside of its borders, or is there another reason for these rebel outposts? These outposts are not only functional in the United States but also in many other countries such as Ireland Canada, and the Netherlands. A number of these countries have accused China of its illegal police outposts.&nbsp;

This Chinese police outpost is a six-storey office building on a busy thoroughfare in Chinatown, New York. On the lobby directory, it lists an engineering company, an acupuncturist and an accounting firm. According to the state-run China Youth Daily, which last year published a document detailing several police outposts, the New York outpost, which was established by the city of Fuzhou, is housed in the headquarters of a Chinese community group, the America Changle Association NY. Fuzhou is one of the largest cities in China's Fujian province.

Chinese State-media describe them as Chinese police outposts involved in police work which involves solving crimes and also collecting intelligence. As the news of these illegal Chinese police outposts gained the traction it has led to Chinese media removing some of these reports. Many human rights activists have expressed their concerns over these outposts. China is already notoriously famous for its crackdown on its citizens irrespective weather they are inside the Chinese borders or outside. Human rights activitists say&nbsp;the Chinese diaspora with the help of these Chinese outposts are being directly controlled by the People's Republic of China rather than by the national laws.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chinese police outposts are sprawled all across the world. There are as many as 100 of these outposts in total. Chinese state media and other official data suggest that these are Chinese police outposts in Japan, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Britain, Germany and other countries.&nbsp;

However, there is a contradiction between the response by the Chinese Embassy and what the Chinese state media and other official data suggest. Even though several nations have accused China of unauthorised police outposts, China continues to refute and downplay these claims. According to the Chinese Embassy in Washington on Wednesday, these outposts are crucial for assisting Chinese citizens overseas with their routine tasks. The embassy further stated that the workers at these outposts in China are volunteers who assist the Chinese locals including helping them in renewing their driver’s licenses back home.&nbsp;

Christopher Wray, FBI director, in 2020 said that it is outrageous that China thinks it can come to US shores, conduct illegal operations and bend people here in the United States to their will. His remarks came after the authorities charged eight more people with being part of Operation Fox Hunt which involves Chinese officials hunting down fugitives abroad and putting them under pressure to return to China.&nbsp;

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Chinese police outposts are operating illegally in New York's Chinatown, and if reports are to be believed, they are also investigating crimes and gathering intelligence without working with regional authorities.

Chinese police outposts are operating illegally in New York's Chinatown, and if reports are to be believed, they are also investigating crimes and gathering intelligence without working with regional authorities. Is China using these outposts to intimidate its ethnic minority as a means of demonstrating its ability to wield power even outside of its borders, or is there another reason for these rebel outposts? These outposts are not only functional in the United States but also in many other countries such as Ireland Canada, and the Netherlands. A number of these countries have accused China of its illegal police outposts. This Chinese police outpost is a six-storey office building on a busy thoroughfare in Chinatown, New York. On the lobby directory, it lists an engineering company, an acupuncturist and an accounting firm. According to the state-run China Youth Daily, which last year published a document detailing several police outposts, the New York outpost, which was established by the city of Fuzhou, is housed in the headquarters of a Chinese community group, the America Changle Association NY. Fuzhou is one of the largest cities in China's Fujian province. Chinese State-media describe them as Chinese police outposts involved in police work which involves solving crimes and also collecting intelligence. As the news of these illegal Chinese police outposts gained the traction it has led to Chinese media removing some of these reports. Many human rights activists have expressed their concerns over these outposts. China is already notoriously famous for its crackdown on its citizens irrespective weather they are inside the Chinese borders or outside. Human rights activitists say the Chinese diaspora with the help of these Chinese outposts are being directly controlled by the People's Republic of China rather than by the national laws. Chinese police outposts are sprawled all across the world. There are as many as 100 of these outposts in total. Chinese state media and other official data suggest that these are Chinese police outposts in Japan, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Britain, Germany and other countries. However, there is a contradiction between the response by the Chinese Embassy and what the Chinese state media and other official data suggest. Even though several nations have accused China of unauthorised police outposts, China continues to refute and downplay these claims. According to the Chinese Embassy in Washington on Wednesday, these outposts are crucial for assisting Chinese citizens overseas with their routine tasks. The embassy further stated that the workers at these outposts in China are volunteers who assist the Chinese locals including helping them in renewing their driver’s licenses back home. Christopher Wray, FBI director, in 2020 said that it is outrageous that China thinks it can come to US shores, conduct illegal operations and bend people here in the United States to their will. His remarks came after the authorities charged eight more people with being part of Operation Fox Hunt which involves Chinese officials hunting down fugitives abroad and putting them under pressure to return to China. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese police outposts in New York's China town stir concern

A CNN report says that China has opened over 100 "overseas police stations" across the globe aimed at monitoring, harassing and even repatriating Chinese citizens living in exile. Madrid-based human rights campaigner Safeguard Defenders had revealed in September that 54 such stations exist worldwide. Now in a new report the group says that it has evidence that China was operating 48 additional police stations.&nbsp;

The report, called “Patrol and Persuade”, further says that China has struck bilateral security arrangements with some European and African countries to gain a widespread presence internationally.&nbsp;

The group's report focusses on the scale of the network and the role the joint policing initiatives between China and several European nations have played to help the spread of Chinese overseas stations. The countries in question include Italy, Croatia, Serbia and Romania.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-china-has-opened-illegal-police-stations-in-several-countries-across-the-world-521517">China has opened illegal police stations in several countries across the world: Report</a>

The group claims that operatives working undercover in Paris forced a Chinese citizen to return home. Earlier, two other Chinese exiles were also forced to return home from Serbia and Spain.&nbsp;

Safeguard Defenders says it has identified four different police jurisdictions of China’s Ministry of Public Security active across at least 53 countries. These stations attend to the needs of expatriates from those parts of China.&nbsp;

Beijing has dismissed all reports of such police stations being run abroad. It told CNN last month, "We hope that relevant parties stop hyping it up to create tensions. Using this as a pretext to smear China is unacceptable.”

China claims that these centers are administrative hubs tasked with helping Chinese expatriates renew documentation. It also said that these centers were opened to help citizens stuck in other countries following the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as per the report, these centers predate the pandemic by several years.&nbsp;

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Responding to Safeguard Defenders’ original allegations, China had said that these centers are staffed by volunteers. However, the group's report now says that one of its police networks hired 135 people for its first 21 stations.

Investigations were launched &nbsp;in at least 13 different countries after reports on the operation of these police stations first came out. Tensions between China and countries like Canada have also flared.&nbsp;

While China isn't the only country to have employed extrajudicial means to reach targets for law enforcement or for political persecution, the timing of the report hurts the nation already going through turmoil at home. People have been protesting the country's zero-Covid policy and demanding curbs to be loosened even as case numbers have been continuously increasing.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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A CNN report says that China has opened over 100 "overseas police stations" across the globe aimed at monitoring, harassing and even repatriating Chinese citizens living in exile.

A CNN report says that China has opened over 100 "overseas police stations" across the globe aimed at monitoring, harassing and even repatriating Chinese citizens living in exile. Madrid-based human rights campaigner Safeguard Defenders had revealed in September that 54 such stations exist worldwide. Now in a new report the group says that it has evidence that China was operating 48 additional police stations. The report, called “Patrol and Persuade”, further says that China has struck bilateral security arrangements with some European and African countries to gain a widespread presence internationally. The group's report focusses on the scale of the network and the role the joint policing initiatives between China and several European nations have played to help the spread of Chinese overseas stations. The countries in question include Italy, Croatia, Serbia and Romania. Also Read | China has opened illegal police stations in several countries across the world: Report The group claims that operatives working undercover in Paris forced a Chinese citizen to return home. Earlier, two other Chinese exiles were also forced to return home from Serbia and Spain. Safeguard Defenders says it has identified four different police jurisdictions of China’s Ministry of Public Security active across at least 53 countries. These stations attend to the needs of expatriates from those parts of China. Beijing has dismissed all reports of such police stations being run abroad. It told CNN last month, "We hope that relevant parties stop hyping it up to create tensions. Using this as a pretext to smear China is unacceptable.” China claims that these centers are administrative hubs tasked with helping Chinese expatriates renew documentation. It also said that these centers were opened to help citizens stuck in other countries following the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as per the report, these centers predate the pandemic by several years. × Responding to Safeguard Defenders’ original allegations, China had said that these centers are staffed by volunteers. However, the group's report now says that one of its police networks hired 135 people for its first 21 stations. Investigations were launched in at least 13 different countries after reports on the operation of these police stations first came out. Tensions between China and countries like Canada have also flared. While China isn't the only country to have employed extrajudicial means to reach targets for law enforcement or for political persecution, the timing of the report hurts the nation already going through turmoil at home. People have been protesting the country's zero-Covid policy and demanding curbs to be loosened even as case numbers have been continuously increasing. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China operating over 100 police stations in foreign countries, report says

Chinese ambassador in Canada has been summoned over the alleged establishment of rouge police stations in Canada. Beijing's envoy has been asked to explain what's behind Chinese-run police stations that are operating illicitly in Canada.&nbsp;

As per reports, the lawmakers have been told that the "police service stations" in the Toronto area are meant for possible interference in Canadian interests and threats to national security.&nbsp;

Spain-based human rights group Safeguard Defenders&nbsp;recently identified the three outposts among more than 50 globally.&nbsp;

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Weldon Epp, the director general of north Asia for Canada’s foreign ministry,&nbsp;told a special parliamentary committee on Canada-China relations&nbsp;that&nbsp;Ottawa has formally raised concerns over the police stations. Canada&nbsp;has already warned China of taking further steps in case Beijing fails to address the issue adequately.&nbsp;

While answering the questions related to the police stations, Epp told the committee late Tuesday: "We've had several engagements. We've called the ambassador in on multiple occasions, and we have conveyed our deep concern."&nbsp;

Beijing has denied all the accusations levelled against them and stated that they are not conducting policing operations on foreign soil. The authorities said that the place—a residential home, a single-storey commercial building and a convenience store—was set up simply to help Chinese nationals abroad with services, such as driver's license renewals, etc.&nbsp;

Notably, the Canadian federal police are investigating the issue.&nbsp;

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Epp said: "The government of Canada has formally insisted that the Chinese government take account for... any activities within Canada that fall outside of the Vienna Conventions, and account for those and ensure that they cease and desist."&nbsp;

Ottawa is considering taking "further decisions for how we take that forward, depending on how they respond," Epp said, further adding that the services Chinese authorities mentioned are supposed to be taken care of by embassies and consulates.&nbsp;

In October, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told the news agency AFP that they were "investigating reports of criminal activity in relation to the so-called 'police' stations" and claims that Chinese expatriates have been harassed.&nbsp;

It added: "The RCMP takes threats to the security of individuals living in Canada very seriously and is aware that foreign states may seek to intimidate or harm communities or individuals within Canada."&nbsp;

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Chinese ambassador in Canada has been summoned over the alleged establishment of rouge police stations in Canada. Beijing's envoy has been asked to explain what's behind Chinese-run police stations that are operating illicitly in Canada.

Chinese ambassador in Canada has been summoned over the alleged establishment of rouge police stations in Canada. Beijing's envoy has been asked to explain what's behind Chinese-run police stations that are operating illicitly in Canada. As per reports, the lawmakers have been told that the "police service stations" in the Toronto area are meant for possible interference in Canadian interests and threats to national security. Spain-based human rights group Safeguard Defenders recently identified the three outposts among more than 50 globally. ALSO READ | Macron, Biden pledge to hold Russia accountable for committing 'war crimes' in Ukraine Weldon Epp, the director general of north Asia for Canada’s foreign ministry, told a special parliamentary committee on Canada-China relations that Ottawa has formally raised concerns over the police stations. Canada has already warned China of taking further steps in case Beijing fails to address the issue adequately. While answering the questions related to the police stations, Epp told the committee late Tuesday: "We've had several engagements. We've called the ambassador in on multiple occasions, and we have conveyed our deep concern." Beijing has denied all the accusations levelled against them and stated that they are not conducting policing operations on foreign soil. The authorities said that the place—a residential home, a single-storey commercial building and a convenience store—was set up simply to help Chinese nationals abroad with services, such as driver's license renewals, etc. Notably, the Canadian federal police are investigating the issue. ALSO READ | Court deals big blow to Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago documents issue Epp said: "The government of Canada has formally insisted that the Chinese government take account for... any activities within Canada that fall outside of the Vienna Conventions, and account for those and ensure that they cease and desist." Ottawa is considering taking "further decisions for how we take that forward, depending on how they respond," Epp said, further adding that the services Chinese authorities mentioned are supposed to be taken care of by embassies and consulates. In October, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told the news agency AFP that they were "investigating reports of criminal activity in relation to the so-called 'police' stations" and claims that Chinese expatriates have been harassed. It added: "The RCMP takes threats to the security of individuals living in Canada very seriously and is aware that foreign states may seek to intimidate or harm communities or individuals within Canada." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Canada summons Beijing’s ambassador, issues warning over alleged Chinese police stations