Florida Marine Scientist Warns of Chinese Surveillance and Harassment

Sherwood Liu, a Florida marine scientist and Falun Gong practitioner, expressed growing concerns over Chinese Communist Party (CCP) surveillance and harassment targeting dissidents, even on U.S. soil. Liu recounted how a suspected Chinese spy, allegedly linked to an IT firm, may have tracked his activities in St. Petersburg. For decades, Liu, a prominent figure in the local Falun Gong community, has faced intimidation, including threats from Chinese officials to harm his family in retribution for his activism.
Liu’s experiences are part of a broader pattern of CCP repression, with Freedom House documenting over 200 physical attacks against Falun Gong adherents globally since 2014. In the U.S., practitioners have faced verbal abuse, surveillance, and evenpassport confiscation at Chinese consulates.
The CCP’s tactics extend beyond direct threats, with state-run think tanks instructing operatives to disseminate defamatory content about Falun Gong on social media and suppress its online presence. Such efforts reflect Beijing’s relentless campaign to silence dissent, regardless of geographic boundaries.
Liu and other practitioners emphasize the need for vigilance, as Chinese agents operate covertly, leaving families and communities in constant fear of retribution. Despite these challenges, Liu remains committed to advocating for Falun Gong, asserting, “We just have to carry on with all that we need to do for those people who don’t have a voice.”

Published: 5/25/2025