Australia's New Masters

China is spying in Australia
By PRIMROSE RIORDAN
Secretary of the Department of Defence Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club in Canberra. 

Outgoing Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson has accused China of spying in Australia, particularly on Chinese diaspora communities and of controlling the Chinese language press.
He said while Australia should build relations with China, Australia and China were not allies.
“I think Australia’s relationship with China and the United States will continue to be able to be summarised simply — friends with both, allies with one,” he told The National Press Club in Canberra today.
The Australian has recently reported on the increased activity of the Chinese communist party’s United Front Work Department and the Overseas Affairs Office in Australia.
Last year, China reacted angrily to former US ambassador John Berry’s warning that Beijing was using financial donations to influence Australian politicians, accusing the American diplomat of “troublemaking” and acting like a “preacher”.
Mr Richardson said that the Chinese government is actively involved in spying activity directed at Australia and Chinese communities, and controls the Mandarin language press.
“It is no secret that China is very active in intelligence activities directed against us. It is more than cyber.”
“Likewise, the Chinese Government keeps a watchful eye inside Australian Chinese communities and effectively controls Chinese language media in Australia.”
He said this interference was unreasonable.
“They engage in activities in their communities which I think would be considered unreasonable by most Australians.”