Public Security officials have confiscated assets worth 300 million yuan (HK$282 million) from the banned Zhong Gong spiritual group in Shaanxi province, a Hong Kong-based human rights group said.
The Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said the 123 bases police had taken over included job-skill training schools, travel agencies, health rehabilitation centres, fitness clubs and trading firms of the spiritual movement.
'All the operations shut by the public security officials were legally registered and had operation licences issued by relevant industry and commerce administration departments,' a Zhong Gong source said.
'It is illegal to confiscate private enterprises and personal properties by force,' the source said.
Shaanxi officials confirmed the group's training centres had been closed and that disposal of all the confiscated properties in different provinces would be dealt with later pending a final decision by the central Government.
Zhong Gong sources said some of its properties would probably be auctioned.