We have noted with serious concern the article titled “China Exerts Control from a Nondescript Office on Dublin’s Capel Street,” published on Monday, April 28, along with related reports by Mr. Colm Keena. Regrettably, the article presents a distorted account of the facts, reflects evident biases, and risks creating unnecessary fear and misunderstanding — developments that are both undesirable and unhelpful.
The article appears to suggest, without basis, that members of the overseas Chinese community are subject to manipulation by the Chinese government. It misrepresents legitimate and lawful interactions between overseas Chinese communities and Chinese institutions as efforts to "influence local policy environments." Such portrayals mischaracterize the nature of these relationships, potentially undermining mutual trust and hindering normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Ireland.
China has always engaged with overseas Chinese communities in a manner that is open, transparent, and fully consistent with the laws and regulations of host countries, including Ireland. The so-called "evidence" referenced in the article consists largely of speculation and misinterpretation, and we respectfully but firmly reject such unfounded claims.
We are particularly concerned by the inclusion of large photographs of individual members of the Chinese community, which could be perceived as targeting private individuals and may cause unwarranted disruption to their personal and professional lives.
The Chinese Embassy has formally communicated our position to the journalist involved and provided clarifications regarding the facts. While we prefer to avoid responding to unfounded provocations, we believe it is important to uphold the principles of fairness, accuracy, and professional ethics in journalism.
We sincerely hope that relevant media outlets will adhere to a spirit of objectivity and responsibility, refrain from disseminating misleading information, and work towards fostering greater understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Ireland.
Fact-checking
1. About “Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station”
“Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station” is a service agency established to assist Chinese citizens residing in Ireland with administrative matters such as the renewal of their driver’s licenses----during the COVID-19 pandemic when international travel was highly restricted. The facility is not a “police station”, nor does it carry out any policing activities or law enforcement functions. The term "police station" is misleading and creates unnecessary misunderstanding. These services are entirely voluntary, non-intrusive, and strictly limited to assisting Chinese nationals with civil documentation in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and the laws of Ireland.
2. About “The Overseas Chinese Service Office”
“The Overseas Chinese Service Office” is a non-profit service organization, established spontaneously by members of the overseas Chinese community. Its purpose is to promote mutual support, facilitate community integration, and provide assistance to Chinese citizens living abroad. These centers operate on the principles of unity and mutual assistance, and have played a positive role in helping overseas Chinese adapt to local life and contribute to local society.
The organization is entirely consistent with international practice for overseas people to maintain cultural and emotional ties with their ancestral homeland. Just as Irish government ministers regularly engage with the Irish community abroad, the Chinese government also encourages and commends overseas Chinese who promote the spirit of solidarity and actively integrating into local society.
References to these efforts in public communications, such as WeChat posts, reflect the transparent and legitimate nature of these activities. The work of the Chinese side is conducted openly, with nothing to conceal, as we act with integrity and take pride in the positive contributions made by the Chinese community here in Ireland.
We firmly oppose any stigmatization of legitimate services provided to Chinese citizens abroad and urge responsible media to avoid contributing to unwarranted suspicion or tension by misrepresenting facts.