A couple of weeks ago, the French government confirmed the existence of a network of thirteen news sites—publishing in French, Spanish, and Vietnamese—posing as something other than what they are. What they are is outlets for Chinese Communist Party propaganda published by a state-run TV channel, CGTN.
Officials apparently cannot close the fortunately low-traffic sites. But the French government can and has shut down nine secret Chinese “police stations” recently discovered to be operating on French soil. This dismantling represents “one of Europe’s most significant crackdowns on Beijing’s purported overseas surveillance and influence networks” (Phayul, June 19, 2026).
French authorities say that although the stations posed as business and other harmless associations, they in fact
served as unofficial extensions of China’s Ministry of Public Security, engaging in activities ranging from monitoring members of the Chinese diaspora to gathering intelligence and exerting pressure on dissidents residing abroad.
French officials have reportedly identified three individuals suspected of coordinating the network. Two have been expelled from the country, while legal proceedings involving a third individual remain ongoing.
The dismantling of the stations follows heightened scrutiny of China’s overseas operations in France. Reports indicate that French authorities intensified their investigation after a 2024 incident in which individuals allegedly linked to Chinese intelligence attempted to forcibly repatriate a Chinese dissident identified as Ling Huazhan. French police intervened and prevented the operation.
Let’s hope that the crackdown represents a renewed dedication to exposing and ending such stations—some of which are called embassies—not only in France or Europe but wherever in the world they are doing their ugly work.
In recent years, reports by Safeguard Defenders and others have called attention to the existence of the “police stations.” Among governments, an initial surge of interest in the problem seemed to fade somewhat over time. But the Chinese Communist Party is not losing interest in “gathering intelligence and exerting pressure on dissidents residing abroad.”
Also see:
New York Post: “UK approves controversial Chinese ‘mega embassy’ in London—despite CCP spying fears: ‘Defies common sense’ ” (January 20, 2026)
Safeguard Defenders: “China’s Hunt for Taiwanese Overseas: The PRC’s use of extradition and deportation to undermine Taiwanese sovereignty” (November 29, 2021)
Safeguard Defenders: “Involuntary Returns: China’s covert operation to force ‘fugitives’ overseas back home” (January 17, 2022)
Safeguard Defenders: “110 Overseas: Chinese Transnational Policing Gone Wild” (September 12, 2022)
Safeguard Defenders: “Chasing Fox Hunt” (April 15, 2024)
