He says they are just “service centers for Chinese. “
Sometimes it’s much better not to say anything. When this controversy erupted last September, Liberal Initiative showed the findings of the human rights NGO Safeguard Defenders in parliament, describing 3 illegal police stations operating in Portuguese territory, created to forcibly repatriate Chinese citizens fleeing their country of origin.
At the time, journalists checking the facility were told “there is nothing to see here. It’s a garage” or it’s an office/business.
Now, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin admits that the sites “are service centers for overseas Chinese. “
In other words, they exist. The Chinese see them as centers that serve “a giant number of Chinese citizens” who cannot return to China due to the Covid-19 pandemic, for example in the renewal of Chinese driving licenses. . .
So why didn’t the owner of the Vila do Conde garage communicate about this and only tell the journalists and photographers who followed the story?Why did he deny the lifestyles of anything other than an auto repair shop?
This is where Safeguard Defenders’ thesis gains credibility, especially now that the Dutch government is officially following up on allegations that two illegal Chinese police stations have been set up in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
As Dutch newspapers have suggested, if those posts offer diplomatic assistance to Chinese citizens, why are they registered with the Dutch government?
The authorities here have hinted that they will “review the findings of NGOs,” reports Lusa who cannot get a reaction from the Attorney General’s Office on whether this means an official investigation has been opened.
Today, the European Commission is up to member states to investigate those allegations, and which “can mobilize support” for countries, if necessary.
EU Home Affairs Executive spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said today: “We have noted reports of alleged police squads that the Chinese government has set up in EU member states and, at the moment, the Commission has no express data on this situation. “sovereignty. ” It is up to member states to investigate those allegations,” he said.
natasha. donn@portugalresident. com
October 27, 2022 Edition