In a world of espionage where rules are rare, Chinese secret services show a particular lack of inhibition according to the French intelligence service DGSI and the Paris Police Prefecture. In incidents of forced repatriation of a Chinese dissident on March 22 and an aborted intimidation attempt on May 8 against a Uyghur political refugee, Chinese state officials were found to have operated publicly, without attempting to hide their actions or flee France after being stopped by police. In contrast, other foreign services such as Russian, Turkish, or Chechen have attempted similar actions in the past, but always tried to conceal their involvement.
On May 8, the police were called to investigate a suspected attempted kidnapping of Uyghur Kazakh Gulbahar Jalilova at her residence in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. She had arrived in France in October 2020 after spending a year and a half in a Chinese concentration camp in Xinjiang. Upon arrival, the police encountered a group of about ten men dressed in black who were linked to the attempted abduction. One of the individuals controlled during the investigation was found to have an official passport connected to the Chinese embassy. This incident left Jalilova traumatized, reminiscent of a previous abduction attempt in Turkey where she was pursued by men in black in Istanbul. She has been warned by Chinese agents in China that if she speaks out, no matter where she is, China’s influence reaches far and she could be brought back.
During a protest on May 5 against the visit of Xi Jinping to France the next day, young men had intervened by displaying portraits of Uyghurs crossed out and shouting “lies” before being chased away by the police. Jalilova declined to comment on the incident, but her previous encounters with attempts of intimidation and abduction have left her in fear for her safety. The prospect of speaking out against China’s actions and seeking justice with the help of the dissident community is a daunting task for her, but necessary to shed light on the treatment of Uyghur refugees and political dissidents.
The presence of Chinese government officials openly operating in France to intimidate or abduct political dissidents or refugees is a worrying development, as it demonstrates China’s willingness to engage in such actions even outside its borders. The lack of discretion and audacity displayed by these agents during the incidents on March 22 and May 8 raises concerns about the extent of China’s reach and influence in international affairs. The involvement of Chinese embassy officials in the attempted abduction of Gulbahar Jalilova highlights the lengths to which China is willing to go to suppress dissent and silence voices critical of its government.
The actions of the Chinese secret services in France are cause for alarm and warrant further investigation and monitoring by French authorities. The attempted forced repatriation and intimidation of dissidents and refugees is a violation of international law and the sovereignty of the host country. The French government must take steps to protect individuals at risk of abduction or intimidation by foreign governments and ensure that such incidents are thoroughly investigated and those responsible are held accountable. The safety and security of political dissidents and refugees must be a top priority for all countries, and any violations of their rights must be met with strong condemnation and action.
