A leading advocate for persecuted Christian in China has faced bomb threats against his family despite living in the relative safety of the United States. Bob Fu, the head of persecution watchdog ChinaAid, has faced mobs of activists outside his Texas home along with credible threats to his life.
The threats are part of an ongoing campaign against Chinese exiles who have taken an interest in the affairs of the government and campaign on issues related to the plight of religious minorities. According to Release International, the activists, themselves predominantly Chinese, have been filmed attacking and beating victims on the streets.
The mayor of Fu's hometown in Texas said that there are people "who want Bob Fu eliminated".
Midland Mayor Patrick Payton, who is a former pastor, alleged that billionaire businessman Guo Wengui (aka Miles Kwok or Miles Guo) has been orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against Fu.
"These are people who have been bought and paid for by Miles Kwok and those... they are associated with the Communist Party of China," he said. "These people are bought and paid for, as you’ve already seen. They’re very well trained."
Guo has reportedly launched a "global kill cheaters campaign", urging his supporters to target Chinese exiles in foreign countries. In one video translated from Mandarin, he allegedly said that he will "fully support our comrades who take actions to kill those cheaters" and told those involved in the action that he will "pay whatever money they spend and however long their campaign lasts".
The threats have become so severe that, on one occasion, Fu’s 15-year-old daughter had to be escorted out of school by armed police. Bob recalled being Washington D.C. when he received news that a mob of protesters had gathered outside his house and bomb threats had been made against his family. "The FBI deemed the threat very real and credible," explained. "So they quickly had to evacuate our whole family with fully armed protection."
The family is still living in their house, though they require round-the-clock security.
Fu said he had no doubt that the action was being organised "directly from Beijing".
"The goal is clear," he said. "It's to silence my voice for freedom in China and to destroy the ministry of ChinaAid."
Still, despite the campaign against him, Fu said he will not stop his advocacy work. "We cannot let them stop us," he added. "It's business as usual."
You can watch Mayor Payton's update on Bob Fu's situation below: