My take on Wang Liqiang's defection, having met him and analysed his claims over several weeks. New details on PLA links and many holes in the Shanghai Public Security Bureau's statement. [THREAD] 1/ smh.com.au/world/asia/def…
First, it's important to appreciate the messiness of defections. Defectors do so for a range of motivations at the same time. Some defectors have been accused of spicing up their claims. Many commentators have been confused about Wang's seniority and exact role. 2/
But there's evidence to support some of Wang's claims. Alleged intelligence officer Xiang Xin has numerous links to COSTIND, a PLA defence tech and intelligence agency. Xiang's wife worked for COSTIND's Intelligence Research Institute. 3/
It's also helpful that Wang's statement names dozens of people and organisations in Hong Kong and Taiwan that he says are intelligence agents/fronts. Agencies will be able to confirm or dispute these claims. 4/
The Shanghai Public Security Bureau quickly responded with allegations that Wang is fraudster, currently under investigation + 2016 conviction. There's evidence that casts serious doubt on the bureau's claims. 5/
After the bureau's allegations a 2016 ruling surfaced the official government court records site. A Chinese netizen searched through all records for the relevant county on a private database and didn't find anything. 6/ wenshu.court.gov.cn/website/wenshu… pincong.rocks/article/9322
Keyword searches and searches for the ruling's tittle on the private database (lawxp.com) don't turn up any results. Very strange for a 2016 conviction. The 2016 ruling also alleges Wang had a girlfriend, but he's married– attempt to cause family tensions? 7/
There are also holes in the bureau's claim that Wang left the country on a fake passport. How could a fake biometric passport get past airport checks? The fake passports listed by the police were created later and sent to a Chinese address - never been in Wang's possession. 8/
Wang's passport also has stamps that contradict the court ruling. The court ruling states the he was on bail in Guangze County between March and October 2016. He left the country several times during this period. 9/
To sum up:
- Research backs up some of Wang's claims. Many impossible to verify.
- Lots of evidence contradicts Chinese police allegations.
- The level of detail in Wang's statement means agencies should eventually be able to confirm/deny his claims. 10/
- Research backs up some of Wang's claims. Many impossible to verify.
- Lots of evidence contradicts Chinese police allegations.
- The level of detail in Wang's statement means agencies should eventually be able to confirm/deny his claims. 10/
