The precise timing of the allegations against the AISO by China coincided with a furor over the treatment of the two Australian correspondents in Beijing
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New Delhi: In attempts to deny espionage attempts and cybercrimes through its state-run media agencies stationed in foreign countries, China has accused Australian intelligence units of harassing its journalists on charges of spying. The latest statement from Beijing, adds to the diplomatic fall-out that spans security, trade, and media freedoms, following an investigation by Beijing into Australian journalists based in China.
On 9 September, China alleged that the Australian intelligence agency questioned foreign correspondents working for Chinese state-run media. These agencies also seized computers and mobile phones in their raids apparently linked to a billowing spy scandal.
According to reports, the last two foreign correspondents working for Australian media in China, Bill Birtles, and Michael Smith fled on 7 September, fearing arrest, while another — Cheng Lei, who worked as an anchor for Chinese state TV continues to be detained under Australian national security laws.
On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Australia-based journalists from Xinhua, China News Service and the China Media group were the target of raids by local intelligence agents in the last week of June.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Lijian said that four journalists were interrogated on the grounds of a possible breach of Australia’s anti-foreign interference laws. “They were questioned and had their phones, computers and even their children’s tablets confiscated. Journalists of the Chinese media in Australia have strictly observed local laws and regulations,” Lijian told the international press, during his weekly briefing.
He claimed that the actions of Prime Minister Scott Morrison-led government seriously interferes with the normal reporting duties of the Chinese media. “It also causes serious damage to the physical and mental health of the journalists and their families,” Lijian said.
From COVID-19 to Covert Operations
The recent spree of allegations is the latest saga to unfold between the once trade partners – China and Australia. China-under President Xi Jinping is angry at Canberra’s leadership for siding with the United States and other nations demanding a probe into the origins of the coronavirus. Beijing in a backlash over the COVID-19 probe hit Australia with a battery of tariffs on imports from beef to barley.
China is Australia’s biggest export market, but that has not deterred Canberra’s outspoken approach to sensitive issues ranging from human rights in the northwestern region of Xinjiang to questions over China’s role in Australia’s 5G network.
Reports claim that Australian intelligence activity against the four Chinese journalists is alleged to have taken place on June 26. Legal documents state that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (AISO) and police officers raided the home and office of New South Wales state legislator Shaoquett Moselmane on the same day in June, as part of a months-long investigation into covert Chinese influence campaigns in Australia.
The documents also show the raids were related to the activities of a Moselmane aide, John Zhang, who is accused of collaborating with China’s main spy agency. Reports also state that Zhang and Moselmane had a WeChat group with the journalists for state-run news organizations who were targeted by the alleged AISO raids, as well as Chinese state-linked academics. However, the AISO refused to confirm or deny the raids, while Canberra’s federal police said it had no comment to make on the incident.
Tit for Tat
The precise timing of the allegations against the AISO by China coincided with a furor over the treatment of the two Australian correspondents in China. After midnight visits to their homes by Chinese police last week, the two scribes had sought refuge in diplomatic compounds in Beijing and Shanghai.
They were allowed to leave the country only after days of diplomatic wrangling and an agreement that they would undergo questioning before departure. Both men were quizzed about fellow Australian Cheng Lei, who has been detained in China since last month. Their case has been seen as another blow to media freedom in Beijing and emblematic of rapidly deteriorating relations between China and Australia.
