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

Pattern of intimidation and threats emerges against Chinese residents who fled to Japan after criticising ‘dictatorial nature’ of government

The Chinese secret police were polite when they telephoned to warn a man known as “A”.
They warned the former Chinese resident “not to go overboard” in his criticism of their government or its policies now that he had left the country.
But “A”, who lives in self-imposed exile in Japan, is more fearful when he hears that they visited his parents in Beijing.
“There have been times that they go to my parents’ home and ask about me, intimidating my family.” he told The Telegraph. “I am very worried that they could harm my parents or other people in my family”.
“A” is a 52-year-old former academic who became involved in human rights activities in China until he attracted the attention of authorities.
The dissident is keen to keep a low profile and does not want his name to be published, but says he remains committed to achieving freedom and democracy in his homeland.
His determination comes in spite of ongoing threats and intimidation from the ruling Communist Party, which do not stop even for Chinese expats that have fled the repression.
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“Friends have told me that they have also received threats by phone or via social media, while some have found leaflets in their mail boxes 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 bookshop.
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 expats about their experiences of authoritarian rule.
“I have always taken it as my duty to save my country with my speech and I will continue to do civic commentaries”, he said.
The experiences of “A” are not unique in Japan, according to a report released on Oct 10 by Human Rights Watch.
Interviews with dozens of Chinese exiles, including people from persecuted minorities from Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia, revealed a pattern of threatening phone calls or messages on the WeChat social media platform.
Several interviewees also reported relatives in China being threatened or pressured.
In addition, China reportedly operates a number of unofficial “police stations” disguised as legitimate businesses in Japan.
Teppei Kasai, a Human Rights Watch official in Tokyo, said: “Chinese authorities appear to have few scruples about silencing people from China living in Japan who criticise Beijing’s abuses.”
In one case, a Tibetan exile who promotes their culture in Japan was told they would need to return to Tibet to complete paperwork when they attempted to renew their passport at the Chinese embassy. 
A Hong Kong democracy activist who fled to Taiwan and later moved to Japan was repeatedly contacted by the Chinese embassy, where officials invited them to visit to “retrieve important documents”.
Fearing detention or punishment, both individuals declined to follow the embassy’s instructions.
Human Rights Watch, an international advocacy group, called on the Japanese government to do more to protect Chinese expats who left the country over safety concerns. 
Mr Kasai added: “Japan should promptly establish a national system to investigate cases of transnational repression, with appropriate safeguards for individuals’ privacy.
“A” said 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 fact it is just a way to maintain their own power,” he told the Telegraph.
“I’m not too worried while I am in Japan but I do not think I can go back to China,” he said. “I’m afraid they will stop me from leaving again and I’ll be arrested and sentenced for some offence.”
The Chinese embassy in Tokyo declined to comment on the report but referred the Telegraph to the foreign ministry’s previous criticisms of external interference in Beijing’s human rights record.
During press conference on Oct 11, Mao Ning, the ministry’s spokesman, criticised a resolution by the European Parliament that condemned human rights violations in China and called for sanctions against officials involved in such offences. 
“The European Parliament resolution lacks factual basis and calls white black,” Ms 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 the basic norms governing international relations.
“China expresses strong indignation over and opposition to it,” she added.