In Italy there would be at least eleven unofficial Chinese police stations operating without the government's approval - with the aim of supervising compatriots abroad - and ours would be the country that hosts the most in the world. The network would consist of over 100 units in at least 53 countries around the world.

The discovery, made by the Spanish NGO Safeguard Defenders , surprised the Italian executive which has launched an investigation to ascertain the phenomenon: "We are verifying: we do not rule out sanctions in the event of irregularities," said Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.

«The Department of Public Security does not have any authorization regarding the activity of Chinese centers for handling paperwork in Italy and I assure you that the police forces, together with intelligence, will monitor the situation with the utmost attention. I do not exclude sanctions in the event of illegalities found".

This affair, the minister said, " has no connection with the police cooperation agreements and joint patrols between Italy and China that took place from 2016 to 2019". «Regarding the opening of an alleged Chinese police station in Prato – reported Piantedosi – the investigations were immediately launched, from which it emerged that last March a Chinese cultural association opened a sort of counter for the processing of administrative procedures aimed at compatriots in Italy, a service for the renewal of Chinese driving licenses and for successions. To date it appears that the center no longer provides these services in which, however, there has been little interest, having received only 4 requests".

«On 16 November – continued the owner of the Viminale – a meeting was held at the Department of Public Security with the liaison officer of the Republic of China who confirmed what was declared by the association's managers. In any case – he added – Digos has informed the judicial authority of the elements acquired».

The President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen also intervened on the issue of Chinese police stations, as reported by Corriere della Sera on its website: «I am deeply concerned by these reports of Chinese police stations present under cover in the territory of Union. The European Commission condemns any interference in the sovereign territory of EU member states". "If these reports are proven to be true, it would be unacceptable for us for a third country to exercise any form of extraterritorial jurisdiction on the territory of EU member states without their agreement," added von der Leyen.

(Unioneonline/vf)

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