Two Chinese nationals charged in Australia for spying on a Buddhist group, allegedly acting under the command of China’s Public Security Bureau.
CANBERRA: Australian police have charged two Chinese nationals with foreign interference. The 25-year-old man and 31-year-old woman are each accused of one count of reckless foreign interference.
They face a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. Police allege the pair worked with another Chinese national charged last August for covertly gathering information on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist group in Canberra.
The individuals are alleged to have worked under the command of China’s Public Security Bureau. China’s foreign ministry has called on Australia to handle the case prudently.
“China urges Australia to handle the case prudently and properly, and to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens,” spokesman Lin Jian said. He denied knowledge of the specific case details.
Australia’s federal police began investigating last year on a tip from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Agency chief Mike Burgess warned of a complex and changing security environment.
“Multiple foreign regimes are monitoring, harassing and intimidating members of our diaspora communities,” Burgess said. He described the behaviour as utterly unacceptable.
Police assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt said Australia is not immune to such interference. He warned the arrests would not prevent further attempts to target diaspora communities.
“Members of our culturally and linguistically diverse communities are more likely to be victims of foreign interference or transnational repression than to be offenders,” Nutt added.
China’s security apparatus has long been accused of infiltrating community organisations to monitor expats. The Guan Yin Citta group encourages followers to recite Buddhist scriptures and practise life liberation.
Led by the late Master Lu, it claims millions of devotees worldwide. Beijing officially considers the group to be a cult.
Relations between Beijing and Canberra have been bumpy over the past decade. Disagreements have centred on national security and competing Pacific interests.
Ties improved in 2024 when China lifted a ban on Australian rock lobster. This move ended the final obstacle of a trade war that began in 2017.
China remains one of Australia’s most important economic partners. It accounts for nearly one-third of Australia’s total trade.