Czechs say China has closed two ‘police stations’ in Prague

Spain-based NGO Safeguard Defenders said in September that China had set up 54 police stations around the world.

Critics say they were used to silence Beijing’s political opponents. However, China says these provide services such as driver’s license renewals to nationals abroad.

“Czech diplomacy has repeatedly raised the question of the ‘police station’ to the Chinese side,” Minister Jan Lipavski told AFP.

“When I discussed the matter with the Chinese ambassador this week, he declared that the Czech ambassador was closed,” he added.

Last month, the Netherlands ordered China to close two “police stations”, and Canada’s federal police were investigating similar centers.

The Czech duo were both based in Prague, according to the Denik N daily, which first reported their existence in October with the China-focused Sinopsis group.

Synopsys said the “police station’s” activities violated not only international law, but also the laws of the country in which the station was established.

Since the official opening on September 28, 2018, Prague station director Chen Jinmei said he welcomes “successful work”.

“The main thing is to fully comply with the Communist Party’s political guidelines on laws, regulations and policies related to overseas Chinese,” Cheng said.