China ‘crime’ crackdown targets threats to party rule
As Tibetans prepared to celebrate a Buddhist new year festival with prayers and dance, police officers went to schools, airports and public squares to read out “21 kinds of dark and evil forces,” a list of new criminal targets.
“Number Two: Individuals associated with the Dalai Lama clique” — supporters of the Tibetan spiritual leader — said the list issued by the Chinese region’s public security bureau. Slightly further down the list were people described as “Protecting the Mother Tongue” — those seeking to preserve the Tibetan language.
These targets are part of a new campaign against alleged organized crime in China that expands the range of people law enforcement officials can take into custody in the name of preserving peace and order.
Analysts say the crackdown will help President Xi Jinping win political support in village, county and other lower-level jurisdictions. That could boost his legitimacy as he prepares to rule the country indefinitely following a surprise move to abolish presidential term limits.
More than 10,000 people were seized within a month of the crackdown starting in late January. Its wide scope has raised concerns it will be used to ensnare political opponents of the ruling Communist Party and that police will have wide leeway to apprehend anyone they consider a troublemaker.