Two Chinese Communist public security officials with diplomatic status were recently expelled from France for attempting to forcibly repatriate a Chinese dissident on French soil. Experts say that France’s action, driven by deteriorating relations with the CCP and domestic political shifts to the right, sets a precedent for democratic countries and serves as a deterrent against the CCP’s cross-border repression.
According to a report from French newspaper Le Monde on July 2, the director and deputy director of the CCP’s Ministry of State Security in Paris were asked to leave the country. They held diplomatic liaison officer status in France, possessed official passports, and enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
The two CCP public security officials were accused of planning an operation in March to forcibly repatriate a Chinese dissident back to China. On March 22, under the watchful eyes of the French border police at Charles de Gaulle Airport, seven individuals attempted to restrain a Chinese man and forcibly take him to the boarding gate. French border police intervened and halted the forced repatriation plan. The rescued Chinese dissident was identified as 26-year-old Ling Huazhan, and the entire incident was captured on camera by French media and broadcasted live.
Dr. Wang Zhisheng of the Sino-Pacific Security Exchange Association stated on July 4 that the two expelled CCP officials held dual roles in national security and diplomacy. He emphasized the importance of understanding the responsibilities of military officials operating in foreign countries, pointing out that their actions expanding into arrests in host countries go beyond their designated duties and constitute a flagrant overreach.
The order to expel the CCP diplomatic officials in France reportedly came from the Elysée Palace following a “mutual agreement” between the two parties, rather than a formal declaration of persona non grata. Despite CCP authorities attempting to deflect criticism as a misunderstanding, the move by France signals a clear message against the abuse of power, even under the guise of diplomatic immunity.
Dr. Feng Chongyi, Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, noted that France’s willingness to take such action despite not wanting to antagonize the CCP demonstrates a deterioration in bilateral relations linked to domestic political changes within France. He highlighted the impact of CCP practices, such as the dumping of electric vehicles affecting French industries, which has led to a shift towards protecting domestic markets, labor, and industries in France, further exacerbating tensions with the CCP regime.
The expulsion of the two CCP public security officials occurred after CCP leader Xi Jinping’s visit to France from May 5 to May 7. However, the day after Xi left, Gulbahar Jalilova, a Uighur woman previously detained in Xinjiang concentration camps and currently living in exile in France, was reportedly kidnapped and threatened.
Local police in Paris responded to the incident involving around 10 individuals, including a figure with what appeared to be an important official role and a diplomatic passport linked to the Chinese Embassy in France. The direct expulsion of CCP officials by France may serve as a significant example with a deterring effect on other nations, according to Dr. Wang.
He pointed out that since Xi Jinping’s second term from the 19th Congress in 2017, CCP’s secret police activities overseas have expanded and incidents of forced abduction of dissidents or officials returning to China through programs like “Operation Fox Hunt” have increased, encroaching on the judicial rights of host countries.
On the international front, multiple countries including the US, Canada, and Australia have taken simultaneous measures to counter “CCP agents.” Recent actions included raids on properties and convictions of individuals for violating laws related to foreign interference.
Dr. Feng emphasized that while actions like the expulsion from France may act as a disincentive against CCP’s cross-border repression, retaliatory measures from the CCP against foreign nationals in China remain a possibility. He warned of the risks posed by CCP’s aggressive tactics, such as cross-border kidnappings, which could negatively impact the status of Chinese communities worldwide.
In light of China’s implementation of new national security laws in July and the increasing travel warnings issued by the US and Taiwan towards China due to heightened risks, Dr. Wang cautioned against engaging with such an authoritarian regime. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal safety by avoiding regions where the rule of law is compromised.