Flag of China [Photo: Newsbook]
China has been accused of establishing two undeclared police stations in The Netherlands.
However, the Chinese embassy in The Netherlands said it is not aware of their existence.
The revelation follows an investigation that was sparked by a report entitled Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild, by the Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders.
According to the organization, the public security bureaus from two Chinese provinces had established 54 “overseas police service centres” across five continents and 21 countries.
The organization further says most of the centres are in Europe, including nine in Spain and four in Italy.
In the UK, the organization found two in London and one in Glasgow.
China says the units were ostensibly created to tackle transnational crime and conduct administrative duties, such as the renewal of Chinese drivers’ licenses.
However, according to Safeguard Defenders, they carry out “persuasion operations”, aimed at coercing those suspected of speaking out against the Chinese regime to return home.
The Dutch foreign ministry says the presence of the Centres in The Netherlands is illegal and promised to begin investigations and take appropriate action.