April
2025
Chinese authorities are reportedly using social media to incite far-right violence against Hong Kong pro-democracy activists living in exile in the UK. Two prominent democracy activists who fled to the UK were among those targeted, with posts revealing their addresses to far-right groups during riots in August 2024. The posts exhibited characteristics similar to influence campaigns previously attributed to China's Ministry of Public Security.
These tactics are likely part of a broader strategy under Xi Jinping's leadership to pursue dissidents beyond China's borders through what Chinese officials call "the overseas struggle." Hong Kong democracy activists have faced multiple forms of intimidation, including bounties on their heads, family members being detained and interrogated back in Hong Kong, and suspected surveillance operations on British soil. Reporting from the Guardian, in tandem with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, has documented 105 victims of Chinese transnational repression across 23 countries, revealing a pattern that relies less on lethal methods and more on generating fear. Despite reporting these online incitement attempts to British police, the targeted activists have received little apparent protection and continue to live with persistent anxiety about their safety.
Summary
These latest developments represent an expansion of what experts have identified as one of the most sophisticated, global and comprehensive campaigns of transnational repression in the world. This escalation of transnational repression techniques suggests China is becoming more aggressive in silencing critics abroad, with tactics now encompassing the use of violent local groups with no prior known ties to the Chinese government; furthermore, this apparent willingness to exploit domestic social divisions in Western countries indicates China may be adopting more sophisticated efforts to exert foreign influence.The targeting of political dissidents on foreign soil represents a direct challenge to national sovereignty and could prompt stronger countermeasures from UK authorities. As the UK, US, and European countries navigate an increasingly complex relationship with China, incidents like these are likely to increase pressure for a tougher stance on Chinese influence operations and human rights violations.
Analysis
