Chinese intelligence targeting dissidents in Europe

Beijing's intelligence operatives in European capitals have been put on the alert in recent days to find information about 200 dissidents who took part in a meeting of the Chinese opposition in Berlin between May 17-22.

The event was organized by the Federation for a Democratic China headed by Fei Liangyong. Beijing is particularly concerned because, for the first time, the Congress - largely funded by Taiwan - saw a number of ordinary dissidents join forces with members of the Falun Gong sect. The sect has split into two parts: those who believe in peaceful coexistence with the Chinese authorities; and a more political side that is openly calling on members of the Chinese Communist Party to overthrow the Beijing government. Also attending the Berlin encounter were representatives of the Uigur Moslem community in Xinjiang and Tibetans. China’s Bureau 610 overseen by Luo Gan in Beijing is tasked with monitoring the two groups. In recent weeks, Chinese “diplomats” and police officials on post in Berlin have tried to obtain information about dissidents from BKA and BfV but have mainly been rebuffed. In Paris, Chinese officials who regularly liaise with the French police intelligence agency Renseignement Generaux and other security services have been seeking information on the Uigeru who are organizing themselves politically for the first time in France. The Chinese are equally seeking to find out more about the new representative of the Dalai Lama in France, Jampal Chosang. A lot more forceful than his predecessor, Chosang is trying to form a pro-Tibet caucus in the French Parliament and is calling on French athletes to demonstrate in favor of human rights during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.