I can't see how you think there's absolutely no connection here. The Chinese government has demonstrated very clearly it will coerce their citizens' compliance - they're not going to be immune to this just by not being activists.
If you have something they want - or are able to do something they want - it's quite obvious they will use your family as leverage.
If you have something they want - or are able to do something they want - it's quite obvious they will use your family as leverage.