The Fugitive: A Chinese Official's Battle Against Surveillance State

Li Chuanliang, a former Chinese official, fled to the US seeking asylum after being accused by Beijing of corruption. An AP investigation shows China's use of sophisticated surveillance technology to track dissidents abroad. Li claims his charges are politically motivated, rooted in his vocal criticism of the Chinese government.

Retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang found himself a fugitive while recuperating on a Korean island. Warned not to return home, Li hurried to the United States, seeking asylum as Beijing pursued him relentlessly with surveillance technology developed from the West.

Li alleges that the charges against him are politically driven due to his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government. His story exemplifies China's robust use of technology, not just to crack down on corruption but also to silence dissent and target expatriates as part of its 'Fox Hunt' and 'Sky Net' operations.

Supporting documents and interviews obtained by AP reveal the methods employed to monitor Li's communications and movements while intimidating friends and family. His plight highlights the broader implications of extraterritorial reach and state-driven paranoia within China's political system.

(With inputs from agencies.)