FBI Houston has issued a warning alert on China’s government is possibly targeting U.S.-based individuals who question the legitimacy or authority of the Chinese Communist Party.

Officials said the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) may be cyberstalking, physically intimidating and harassing Chinese citizens, naturalized U.S. citizens and families of dissidents who speak out against the party.

  •  alyaza [they/she]   ( @alyaza@beehaw.org ) 
    25•5 months ago

    well, i’d love to know literally any actual details of this “cyberstalking, physically intimidating and harassing Chinese citizens, naturalized U.S. citizens and families of dissidents”, but i guess the purview of a lot of journalism is just press releases now and not actually investigating the contents of those press releases

    •  Tire   ( @Tire@lemmy.ml ) 
      15•5 months ago

      China actually sets up police stations in other countries to keep people in line about what they say about China. This article is not a stretch.

        •  tardigrada   ( @tardigrada@beehaw.org ) OP
          8•5 months ago

          As FBI director Wray is cited in ‘How China Tries to Intimidate Its Dissidents Living Overseas’ (2020), for example:

          In one case, according to Wray, the CCP “sent an emissary to visit the target’s family here in the United States.” This emissary warned the target that he or she “had two options: return to China promptly, or commit suicide.”

          A more recent analysis on China’s illegal police stations can be found at ‘China’s Consular Volunteers.’

          But there are very good sources across the web.

          Addition:

          In December 2021, a ‘Private Investigator’ working for the CCP has been advised to also consider physically attacking the Victim. In a voice message intercepted by the police, it was said:

          You can start thinking now, aside from violence, what other plans are there? Huh? But in the end, violence would be fine too. Huh? Beat him [chuckles], beat him until he cannot run for election. Heh, that’s the-the last resort. You-you think about it. Car accident, [he] will be completely wrecked [chuckles], right? Don’t know, eh, whatever ways from all different angles.

          Source

          •  alyaza [they/she]   ( @alyaza@beehaw.org ) 
            2•5 months ago

            this is such a false equivalence it might as well be a nonsequitur–this isn’t “demonstrating basic inferential science that has been known about for over 100 years”, it amounts to an accusation of violating the sovereignty of another country and yes, that should be seriously scrutinized and demonstrated (especially given the tensions between the US and China, and the long tail of anti-Asian sentiment caused by COVID)

            •  millie   ( @millie@beehaw.org ) English
              6•5 months ago

              So what would you say is the appropriate course of action? For the FBI to out the identities and statements of people who report Chinese state harassment in the US? To keep the information entirely a secret otherwise?

              Like, the FBI warning people that there’s a danger without totally tipping their hand seems like a reasonable move to make if they have such evidence. They don’t need to present it in order to do that.

              Likewise, while it would certainly make a better story and a better read if it provided some additional background information, that’s not what this piece is. It’s literally just reporting the announcement.

              Honestly, I’m not sure where your opposition to it is outside of simply reacting to criticism of the Chinese government. Which, honestly, is a little shady.

    •  millie   ( @millie@beehaw.org ) English
      7•5 months ago

      I mean, it’s not an investigative piece. It’s literally just ‘hey, the FBI made an announcement’. Presumably because most people aren’t checking on FBI announcements, and it’s probably something people should know about. Relaying the announcement as a public service doesn’t preclude also being able to do investigative journalism.

      This certainly isn’t the first time I’ve seen something like this, not even on beehaw. Seems like it’s worth it to provide an FBI warning to people who might be vulnerable; both so they can be aware and so they can know who to reach out to if they have an issue.

    •  TheRtRevKaiser   ( @TheRtRevKaiser@beehaw.org ) 
      5•5 months ago

      I’ve found that usually is the case especially with “articles” like this on TV News channel sites, but I can’t find where any papers have picked up the story. They may still be following up on it, but I would expect if the Houston Chronicle winds up picking the story up they will have more details.