China critics chased in Mekong as Beijing's security clout grows

Laos, others in region cooperating with neighbor to stifle Chinese dissidents

20230821 Lu Siwei 2

An excerpt from a video shows one of two activists, left, traveling with Chinese rights lawyer Lu Siwei, right, arguing with police near Thanaleng dry port in Laos on July 28. © Anonymous Source/AP

PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- Chinese dissidents face growing risk in Laos and throughout Southeast Asia as Beijing increases its security posture beyond its borders to silence critics.

Well-known human rights lawyer Lu Siwei has been missing for 28 days after he was arrested by Laotian police in late July for "illegal entry" as he prepared to board a train for Thailand. He was on his way to Bangkok to catch a U.S.-bound flight to reunite with his wife and daughter after fleeing China using valid travel documents and visas.

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