610 Office - Expanded Functions

Expanded Functions

In 2003, the name of the Central Leading Group for Dealing with Falun Gong was changed to the ’’Central Leading Group on Dealing with Heretical Religions.” The same year, its mandate was expanded to include disposing of 28 other “heretical religions” and “harmful qigong practices.” Although Falun Gong continues to be the 610 Office’s primary concern, there is evidence of local offices targeting members of other groups, some of which identify as Buddhist or Protestant denominations. This include carrying out surveillance against members, engaging in propaganda efforts, and detaining and imprisoning members.

In some cases, the 610 Office performs functions unrelated to the monitoring and suppression of unrecognized religions. For instance, the Economist reported that 610 officers were involved in enforcing the house arrest of Chen Guangcheng, a blind human rights lawyer best known for his opposition to forced abortions and forced sterilizations.

In 2008, a new set of “leading groups” appeared with the mandate of “maintaining stability.” Corresponding local offices were established in every district in major coastal cities, being tasked with “ferreting out” anti-Communist Party elements. The branch offices for Maintaining Stability overlap significantly with local 610 Offices, sometimes sharing offices, staff, and leadership.

Cook and Lemish write that the increased reliance on ad hoc committees such as the 610 Office and stability maintenance offices may indicate a sense among Communist Party leaders that the existing state security services are ineffective in meeting its needs. "That these officials are increasingly relying on more arbitrary, extra-legal, and personalized security forces to protect their hold on power does not only bode badly for China’s human rights record. It also threatens the stability of internal CCP politics should 610 Office work become politicized," they write.