In a shocking revelation by mainland Chinese visitors, it has been reported that Beijing police officers intercept visitors and then “sell” them to local stability maintenance offices for thousands of yuan per person. Some of the funds from this transaction flow back into the hands of local officials.
Zhao Shuang, a visitor from Shandong, was retaliated against after reporting Liu Haitao, a police officer from the Zhong Division of Jinan Public Security Bureau, for abusing power for personal gain, making threats, and extorting money and favors. Over the years, she has persistently sought justice, but was transferred to the prosecutor’s office by Jinan police on charges of “inciting trouble,” “extortion,” and “illegal use of information networks” due to unclear facts and insufficient evidence. She was ultimately released on bail pending trial.
Zhao Shuang told New Epoch that among the numerous visitors she has encountered, many have been taken away by Beijing police and “sold” to stability maintenance offices in various regions. She herself has been intercepted by Beijing police multiple times and handed over to Jinan stability maintenance offices.
“The ‘sale’ of visitors by Beijing police is rampant. Whenever there are large meetings or crackdowns on visitors, it’s their harvest season. Even local authorities come with cash to ‘buy,’ with amounts ranging from thousands to millions of yuan per person. Cash is exchanged on the spot, with transactions happening swiftly.”
She mentioned that local governments decide whether to “buy” back visitors based on the impact of the cases. “For instance, if someone files a complaint against a government official or has solid evidence that could truly influence that official, the local government will spend money to ‘buy’ back that visitor.”
Wu Lixin, a retired Chinese military veteran who fled to the United States, was continuously monitored, harassed, and surveilled by the police for 5 years due to his involvement in organizing and participating in family church activities. Since August 2019, he has been taken to the police station almost every month for reprimand, during which he was subjected to physical abuse and mistreatment by the police.
He stated that every level of individuals involved in stability maintenance benefits from the funds allocated from the central finances for stability maintenance. Some of the money even flows back to the officials, creating a vicious cycle.
He remarked, “Including local public security, street offices, the entire system treats this as a business. Officials see visitors as a cash cow.”
Wu Lixin mentioned that he has encountered many visitors whose issues have remained unresolved for decades, ultimately meeting tragic fates on their way to petition.
“Why does the CCP’s stability maintenance expenses amount to so much? It exceeds military spending, which is terrifying. Many visitors have been petitioning for over a decade, even over twenty years. I know several who were still petitioning until they died on the road. The CCP simply refuses to address the issues.”