Dutch government investigates Chinese ‘police stations’ in the Netherlands

The investigation comes after two Dutch media reported that Chinese posts in Amsterdam and Rotterdam were used by Beijing to harass dissidents in the European country.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry is investigating reports that China has set up two illegal police stations in the Netherlands, which it uses to harass dissidents.

The ministry’s announcement came on Wednesday after Dutch media reported that Chinese posts in Amsterdam and Rotterdam purported to offer diplomatic assistance but had not been declared to the Dutch government.

The “police stations” were being used to silence political opponents, according to a Chinese dissident living in the Netherlands quoted by broadcaster RTL and the investigative website Follow the Money.

China’s Foreign Ministry called the reports “completely false” and said the “gas stations” were meant to help citizens abroad do things like renew driver’s licenses.

Holland said it was taking the claims “seriously”.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now investigating the activities of the so-called police centers. When we have more clarity on this, appropriate measures will be taken,” Dutch Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maxime Hovenkamp told the AFP news agency.

“It is true that we have not been informed of the centers through diplomatic channels.”