610 Office

Danghui

Chinese security agency

610 Office

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Formed	June 10, 1999
Dissolved
Type
Jurisdiction	People's Republic of China
Status
Headquarters	Beijing, China

The 610 Office (Chinese: 610办公室) is a security agency in the People's Republic of China, named after the date of its creation on June 10, 1999. It was established by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under the leadership of then-General Secretary Jiang Zemin. The primary function of the 610 Office is to oversee and coordinate the suppression of the Falun Gong spiritual practice.

History

The 610 Office was created in response to the growing popularity of Falun Gong, a qigong practice that combines meditation and moral philosophy. The practice gained a large following in the 1990s, which led to concerns within the CCP about its influence and organizational capacity. On June 10, 1999, the CCP established the 610 Office to lead the effort to eradicate Falun Gong.

Structure and Function

The 610 Office operates as an extralegal organization, meaning it functions outside the bounds of the formal legal system. It has branches at various levels of government, from the central government in Beijing down to local municipalities. The office is known for its role in coordinating the persecution of Falun Gong, including surveillance, detention, and re-education through labor.

Controversies

The 610 Office has been widely criticized for its human rights abuses. Reports from various human rights organizations have documented instances of torture, forced labor, and extrajudicial killings associated with the office's activities. The office's operations are shrouded in secrecy, and it is not subject to the same legal oversight as other government agencies.

See also

• Chinese Communist Party
• Falun Gong
• Human rights in China
• Re-education through labor