Chinese secret police tried to silence me – even when I fled to Japan

Chinese secret police were polite when they called to warn a man known as “A”.

They warned the former Chinese resident not to “exaggerate” in his criticism of their government or its policies now that he has left the country.

But “A”, who lives in voluntary exile in Japan, is more fearful when he learns that they visited his parents in Beijing.

“There were times when they would go to my parents and ask questions about me, intimidating my family. » he told the Telegraph. “I am very worried that they could harm my parents or other members of my family.”

“A” is a 52-year-old former academic who was involved in human rights activities in China until he came to the attention of the authorities.

The dissident wants to keep a low profile and does not want his name published, but says he remains committed to establishing freedom and democracy in his country.

His determination comes despite constant threats and intimidation from the ruling Communist Party, which does not stop even for Chinese expatriates who have fled the crackdown.

“Friends told me they had also received threats by phone or social media, while some found leaflets in their letterboxes outside their homes saying: ‘I know you live here,’” said “A.”

He moved to Tokyo in 2022 with his wife and two children and now runs a bookstore.

At the same time, he writes and produces online material about repression in China and the possibility of a transition to democracy, while interviewing other expatriates about their experiences of authoritarian rule.

“I have always considered it my duty to save my country through my speech and I will continue to make civic comments,” he said.

“A’s” experiences are not unique to Japan, according to a report released October 10 by Human Rights Watch.

Interviews with dozens of Chinese exiles, including people from persecuted minorities in Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia, revealed a pattern of threatening phone calls or messages on the social media platform WeChat.

Several interviewees also reported that relatives in China had been threatened or pressured.

Additionally, China reportedly operates a number of unofficial “police stations” disguised as legitimate businesses in Japan.

Teppei Kasai, an official with Human Rights Watch in Tokyo, said: “Chinese authorities appear to have few qualms in silencing Chinese living in Japan who criticize Beijing’s abuses. »

In one case, a Tibetan exile promoting his culture was told he would have to return to Tibet to complete paperwork when trying to renew his passport at the Chinese embassy.

A Hong Kong democracy activist who fled to Taiwan and then settled in Japan was repeatedly contacted by the Chinese embassy, ​​where officials invited him to visit to “retrieve important documents “.

Fearing arrest or punishment, the two individuals refused to follow the embassy’s instructions.

Human Rights Watch, an international advocacy group, has called on the Japanese government to do more to protect Chinese expatriates who have left the country for safety reasons.

Mr. Kasai added: “Japan should quickly establish a national system to investigate cases of transnational repression, with appropriate safeguards for individual privacy.

“They want to restrict everyone”

“A” said the pressure on Chinese citizens living in exile is a result of the “dictatorial nature” of the Chinese Communist Party.

“They want to restrict everyone’s freedom, guard against their opponents and ensure uniformity of thought and political security, but in reality, this is just a way to maintain their own power,” he said. told the Telegraph.

“I’m not too worried while I’m in Japan, but I don’t think I’ll be able to return to China,” he said. “I’m afraid they’ll stop me from going back and I’ll be arrested and convicted of a crime.”

The Chinese embassy in Tokyo declined to comment on the report, but referred the Telegraph to the Foreign Office’s previous criticism of external interference in Beijing’s human rights situation.

At a press conference on October 11, Mao Ning, the ministry’s spokesperson, criticized a European Parliament resolution condemning human rights violations in China and calling for sanctions against officials involved in such infractions.

“The European Parliament’s resolution lacks factual basis and characterizes white as black,” Mao said. “It attacks the human rights situation in Xinjiang, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, and seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations.

“China expresses its strong indignation and opposition to this project,” she added.

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