vague attitude
Information about Chinese centers linked to police activity in Europe and North America remains unsettled. The data originates from the Safeguard Defenders Foundation, a Madrid-based nonprofit that has publicly criticized these facilities. Reports suggest that Chinese authorities may have used face recognition-enabled operations in remote centers described as “police stations in disguise.” Italy shows the most centers in Europe, with Spain following closely behind in the counts reported so far.
Safeguard Defenders has conducted investigations and filed criminal complaints since September, compiling documents and accounts that point to a wider network. The latest release highlights several locations linked to this network, including Italian cities with large Chinese communities such as Rome, Milan, Bolzano, Venice, Florence, and Prato, as well as regions on the island of Sicily where Chinese residents are concentrated.
There is a note of historical significance for Italy in this story. The country is described as a testing ground, having opened the first such facility outside China in 2016 when a Wenzhou police department unit established a center in Milan. Following that initial opening, jurisdictions in Qingtian and Fuzhou reportedly set up similar centers in Italy.
security risk
So far, Italian officials have given a cautious response. In September, when a government led by Mario Draghi was in power, the interior ministry stated that these offices showed no obvious intent or substance of concern. Yet, several Italian lawmakers have pressed for more clarity in recent months, submitting questions to shed light on the scope and purpose of the operations. Whether authorities were fully aware of the scale remains unclear.
Laura Hart, who leads Protect Defenders, has asked questions through media channels to clarify the situation. Only after new allegations became public did the Italian government indicate that an investigation had begun. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said officials are reviewing the matter and warned that sanctions could follow if irregularities are confirmed.
The accusations carry real weight for human rights and safety. Safeguard Defenders asserts that some centers are used to intimidate dissidents and, in certain cases, to facilitate forced returns. They point to concrete episodes, such as a worker who faced embezzlement charges in China after returning from a long stay in Italy, a case that reportedly disappeared from public records as investigations progressed.
international relations and community impact
Beijing has denied the charges since the first reports appeared. A spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that public security officials act within international law and respect other countries’ judicial systems. Other officials have offered similar reassurances, urging careful assessment of the facts.
Italy hosts a sizeable Chinese community, with estimates around several hundred thousand residents. The country has entered into various agreements with Beijing in recent years, including initiatives linked to the Belt and Road framework. Some observers in Europe viewed these arrangements with skepticism at the time. Even former foreign ministers have suggested that Chinese centers on Italian soil could pose security concerns.
The broader backdrop shows Italy balancing a spirit of openness with a growing scrutiny of law enforcement collaboration with China. Joint patrols and other cooperation arrangements were launched in several cities during 2016 to combat organized crime. In some cases, the content of bilateral agreements remained confidential, contributing to the ongoing mystery surrounding these centers.