Germany Names China Among Main Actors in Transnational Repression

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the BfV, has identified China as a primary actor in transnational repression, alongside Russia and Iran. The agency stated that individuals who leave authoritarian states remain targets of surveillance, threats, and intimidation in Germany. Those affected by China-linked activities include Chinese activists, German critics of China’s one-party state, and various minority and activist groups such as Uyghurs, Tibetans, Falun Gong practitioners, and supporters of Hong Kong’s democracy movement or Taiwan.

• Germany’s domestic intelligence agency (BfV) has named China as a main actor in transnational repression.
• China is listed alongside Russia and Iran as states employing such tactics.
• Individuals targeted include Chinese activists, German critics of China, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Falun Gong practitioners, and supporters of Hong Kong’s democracy or Taiwan.
• China’s political leadership uses intelligence services and other actors to monitor and intimidate critics abroad.
• Affected individuals can face surveillance, threats, and intimidation even after leaving authoritarian states.