The Chinese government launched a scathing attack against Australia in its long-running tensions with the Scott Morrison-led country, alleging that Australia has indulged in an “intensifying espionage offensive” by “sending agents to China to spy, gather intelligence and recruit” local agents and defectors.
Its accusations were published in the Global Times, a subsidiary of the People’s Daily, which is an official mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China (CCP). It is renowned for its hawkish and brash approach to—and commentary on—diplomatic issues. Experts thus contend that the outlet apparently represents what officials and party members are thinking behind closed doors.
Accompanying the article are pictures of a compass, a USB flash drive, a notebook, a mask, gloves, and a map of Shanghai, which are claimed to have been seized from the Australian agents. There is also a picture of the wiretapping device that was apparently discovered at the Chinese embassy in Canberra. The story is sourced from an anonymous member of a Chinese law enforcement agency.
The article goes onto accuse Australia of spying on Chinese students and organizations in Australia. It also takes aim at Fen Chongyi, a China studies professor at the University of Technology Sydney, accusing him of being an “informant to Australian security intelligence agencies”. The professor was detained in China in 2017, but was released. It further says that the spies were provided diplomat passports by the Australian embassy in Beijing. 
While the article was published just last week, the purported spying operations dates back to 2018, when China claims to have arrested the Australian agents. In response to this latest escalation in bilateral ties, PM Scott Morrison said, “I wouldn’t be relying on Chinese state media for your sources for questions.”
China’s accusations come against the backdrop of an Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and federal police raid of the office of an NSW upper house MP, Shaoquett Moselmane. Moselmane’s office was allegedly infiltrated by Chinese agents, and has consequently been kicked out of the Labor party; he may also be suspended from parliament. The MP has travelled to China at least 15 times, frequently attended Chinese cultural events in Australia, and even described his “great fascination” with the “great nation with a great history and great people” in 2017.
The latest piece in the Global Times could also be seen as a retaliation to an accusation by Morrison close to two weeks ago, when he said that all levels of Australia’s government have been subjected to cyberattacks over the last few months. He said that attacks were also launched against “education, health, essential service providers, and operators of other critical infrastructure”. He was under no doubts that it was a “state hack”, due to the “scale and nature of the targeting and the trade craft used”. While he refused to make “any public attribution”, it is widely assumed that he was referring to China when he said: “There are not a large number of state-based actors that can engage in this type of activity.”
Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne have previously pushed for an independent investigation into the origins and spread of the coronavirus, and a review of China’s culpability and complicity. This has drawn the ire of China, which has used state media outlets like the Global Times to engage in dangerous rhetoric, such as describing Australia as a “giant kangaroo that serves as a dog of the US”.
It has also said threatened supporting the US could result in a “fatal” blow to Australia’s economy, “given Australia’s high dependence on the Chinese economy”. However, China has not only issued threats, but also delivered on them. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced tariffs of up to 80% on Australian barley producers for dumping. Furthermore, a Bloomberg report suggests that China is considering stricter quality checks, anti-dumping probes, tariffs, and customs delays on a host of other Australian imports, including wine, dairy, seafood, oatmeal, and fruit. China also blacklisted four Australian slaughterhouses. Australian coal exports have also been subjected to increased trade barriers.
Morrison has previously engaged in damage limitation by highlighting the “mutually beneficial” relationship Australia shares with China. However, as China erodes its diplomatic and economic ties with Australia, it remains to be seen how these relations progress. Australia is already seeking to reduce its reliance on China, as evidenced by the elevation of its relationship with India from a Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), its ongoing trade negotiations with the United Kingdom (UK), and its participation in a naval exercise with the US in the South China Sea (SCS) to deter Chinese aggression.
China Accuses Australia of Espionage and Recruiting Defectors
The Chinese government launched a scathing attack in state media outlet Global Times.
June 29, 2020
IMAGE SOURCE: SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES