Chinese Citizen Charged for Spying in Australia
A Chinese national with permanent residency in Australia was charged on Monday for allegedly gathering information about Australian Buddhist groups and sharing that data with the Chinese Public Safety Bureau.
This individual faces accusations as a third party under the 2017 Foreign Intervention Act, marking the first time someone has been charged for allegedly targeting “members of the Australian community.”
“Foreign intervention is a serious crime that threatens democracy and social cohesion. It involves secretive or deceitful conduct, possibly accompanied by threats of serious harm,” remarked an Australian Federal Police Assistant.
The accused’s identity remains undisclosed due to a court order. Police reported that she was arrested at her residence and charged with espionage at a local Canberra courthouse. The accused is linked to a Buddhist group known as Guan in Sitta Dharma, which is prohibited in Communist China. If convicted, she could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
Founded by Chinese-born Australian Buddhists, Guan in Sitta has a unique stance. The founder, who passed away in 2021, had faced criticism from other Buddhists for his unconventional practices, yet he garnered a significant following globally.
In China, where religious practices are heavily controlled, this group is labeled as an “Evil Cult” by the government, similar to the designation given to Falun Gong. There’s evidence suggesting that Beijing perceives Guan in Sitta as even more of a threat than Falun Gong.
The Chinese regime has shown increasing anxiety over the group’s rising popularity within its borders, exerting pressure on local Buddhist organizations to denounce it. Following the founder’s death, many practitioners have been arrested, but authorities find it challenging to detain them, as they tend to stay away from public scrutiny.
Australian officials haven’t clearly explained why the defendant collected information on Guan in Sitta or speculated about Beijing’s intentions with that information. Some suggest it might relate to escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
“During this period of heightened regional competition, there are individuals who are attempting to spy on Australian citizens and groups,” stated one official.
The director of the Australian Security Intelligence Agency (ASIO) vowed that the country would maintain a “zero tolerance” policy towards foreign espionage.
“Anyone who believes it’s acceptable to surveil or intimidate members of the diaspora community should not underestimate our capabilities and resolve,” he warned.
In 2017, Australia established stringent laws against foreign political interference amid rising tensions with China. This legislation angered Beijing, which vehemently denied engaging in espionage or meddling in foreign political matters.
Since the introduction of these laws, only two individuals have faced charges. One is a businessman from Vietnam in Melbourne, and another is a Sydney-based entrepreneur accused of trying to sway the federal government on China’s behalf. Notably, neither of these cases involved targeting the general public, which contrasts sharply with the allegations against the Chinese woman arrested recently.
