Chinese Communist Party’s embassies and consulates run a global network of consular volunteers, part of the United Front influence operations on foreign soil, prompting calls for investigations.
The Chinese Communist Party’s Global Network
A new report has revealed that the Chinese Communist Party is utilizing a global network of “consular volunteers” operating through its embassies and consulates, forming part of its “United Front” influence and enforcement operations on foreign soil. This has prompted calls for democratic governments to investigate this matter further. The informal networks that involve Chinese embassies and consulates have been in use for at least a decade, but were recently formalized through a State Council decree that took effect on Sept. 1. However, these networks remain largely undeclared to host countries, as reported by the Spain-based rights group Safeguard Defenders.
The Under the Radar Network
Consular volunteers are mostly involved in administrative tasks linked to consular protection, risk assessments, and even “warnings and advisories” to overseas citizens and organizations, giving them access to individuals’ personal information and enhancing their function of control over overseas communities and dissenters. The “consular volunteer” network, sometimes involving United Front-linked associations and individuals, was previously under the radar, further enabling China’s illegal transnational law enforcement operations, according to the report. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has launched an expansion of political influence activities worldwide, many of which rely on overseas community and business groups under the United Front Work Department.
Global Efforts and APEC Summit
According to the report, consular volunteer positions have been recruited for in various countries worldwide, with Chinese diplomatic missions inviting volunteers to provide consular services. Calls for democratic countries to review the practice of “consular volunteering” by Chinese diplomatic missions have been made, and it has been warned that democratic governments should not take part in United Front-linked events. The international community is urged to acknowledge and address Chinese consulate’s engagement in state persecution. This call comes after a large-scale mobilization of patriotic protesters took place during President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit in San Francisco.