Invitation to tea

An "invitation to tea" (喝茶, hē chá, lit. 'drink tea') is a Chinese euphemism for being summoned and interrogated by the State Security Police, the secret police arm of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS). Once something of an urban legend, the phrase is now promoted by government officials including the MSS itself to warn the public of the dangers of engaging in unapproved behavior or speech. Most western observers describe it as a tool of intimidation and political repression.

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