The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently accused China of using a “police station” in New York City to spy on and harass dissidents within the US. The accusations were made in a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on October 28, 2021.
According to the complaint, the Chinese government has been using the “China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture” (CAPDTC) as a front for its intelligence operations in the US. The CAPDTC is allegedly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and operates out of a building in New York City that houses a “police station.”
The DOJ claims that the “police station” is staffed by Chinese intelligence officers who use it to monitor and harass dissidents within the US, particularly those who are critical of the CCP’s policies in Tibet. The officers allegedly use a variety of tactics, including physical surveillance, cyber espionage, and harassment of family members in China.
The complaint also alleges that the CAPDTC has been involved in illegal activities, such as money laundering and visa fraud. The organization is accused of using its non-profit status to conceal its true activities and to funnel money to China for intelligence purposes.
The DOJ’s accusations are part of a broader crackdown on Chinese espionage and influence operations in the US. In recent years, the US government has become increasingly concerned about China’s efforts to steal American intellectual property, influence US politics, and suppress dissent among Chinese nationals living in the US.
The allegations against China are likely to further strain relations between the two countries, which have already been tense due to trade disputes, human rights issues, and geopolitical tensions in Asia.
The Chinese government has denied the allegations and accused the US of fabricating them for political purposes. In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Washington DC said that “the US side has been fabricating lies and slandering China on the pretext of so-called ‘national security.'”
The allegations against China are a reminder of the growing threat posed by foreign espionage and influence operations in the US. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is becoming easier for foreign governments to conduct intelligence operations on American soil. The US government must remain vigilant and take steps to protect its citizens and institutions from foreign interference.
