Latest news with #ex-Chinese
Sky News AU
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
'Don't be stupid, confess to ASIO': Ex-Chinese spy calls out Beijing's Australian espionage efforts, welcomes recent arrest
An ex-Chinese spy has welcomed the arrest of an Australian woman for espionage-related offences as he called out Beijing's intelligence and foreign influence campaigns. On Monday, the Australian Federal Police announced a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been arrested and charged with one count of reckless foreign interference. The woman, who is a permanent Australian resident, allegedly worked to "covertly gather information" about Canberra's Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association on behalf of China's Public Security Bureau. The Chinese Communist Party considers the Buddhist group, which also has members in mainland China, a cult. An ex-Chinese spy has welcomed the arrest of an Australian woman for espionage-related offences as he called out Beijing's intelligence and foreign influence campaigns. Picture: Getty Images In an exclusive interview with Sky News Australia's Cheng Lei, former Chinese spy, Eric, hailed the arrest, saying it was important Australian authorities worked to counter Beijing's efforts to gather intelligence and exert influence at the community level. "What I've noticed in this case is the change to taking action on a spy that's working in a Chinese community organisation, I think it may be the first time," he said. "We know the Chinese government has invested significantly in local community organisations in order to quash dissidents, but also to affect voting and politics. So investing in local communities to counter that is the right thing." Asked whether the woman was acting alone or as part of a larger network of spies, Eric suggested evidence provided by the AFP pointed to the former - although he also warned Beijing had likely established a "large" presence in Australia. On Monday, the Australian Federal Police announced a woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been arrested and charged with one count of reckless foreign interference. Picture: Supplied Commenting on the CCP's objectives more broadly, the former spy explained foreign agents had two main aims when conducting operations. "The CCP's spying in Australia takes place in two tracks. One is to quieten criticism against the Chinese government, to ensure its governance security, another is in geopolitics, that may include business, technology, military intel," he said. "China views Australia as important role in geopolitical terms, because we all know if there is military conflict between the US and China in the west pacific, Australia's location is critical. "So the CCP would invest a lot of resources to affect Australian politics and extract military secrets, to ensure Australia would remain neutral, or to defeat the US and Australia's allies." Eric added Chinese spies would work to "foster and develop agents over a long time" in order to avoid detection, including by offering financial incentives to those they believed had valuable information. Asked what any Australian resident being manipulated or approached by China should do, the former spy was unequivocal. "I would say, don't be stupid, first you may be arrested (the) Chinese government would never say 'you're our guys', forget it," he said. "China may start a war in the future, do you want to live in a war country? Don't be stupid, confess to ASIO or police if you are a spy."
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First Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
End of 'Emperor Xi'? Chinese president's disappearance raises questions about who holds reins
The absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping for two weeks is raising questions about who is really in control in China. Xi's absence between May 21 and June 5 set tongues wagging about whether there is a possible realignment of power within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Xi is also slated to miss the upcoming Brics summit in Brazil, which is taking place on July 6 and 7 read more Is it the end of 'Emperor Xi', as US President Donald Trump called him, in China? Is a power shift imminent? The absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping for two weeks is raising questions about who really holds the reins in China. Xi is also slated to miss the upcoming Brics summit in Brazil, which is taking place on July 6 and 7. This is the first time Xi would be missing the summit since taking power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what happened? What do we know? Let's take a closer look: What happened? Xi was out of public view for two weeks. His absence between May 21 and June 5 set tongues wagging about whether there is a possible realignment of power within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Xi is General Secretary of the Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC). According to reports, General Zhang Youxia, the First Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), may currently hold power in China. Zhang, who is part of the powerful 24-member Politburo, is reportedly backed by senior CCP members who are loyal to ex-Chinese president Hu Jintao. These members are said to be far less ideologically rigid than Xi, who has tried to codify his views in – which is in textbooks and being taught in schools. Though Xi continues to hold his many titles, his influence is said to be waning in key sectors such as the military and the economy. The silence of state media on Xi's absence is also telling. He Weidong (L) and Zhang Youxia, vice chairmen of Chinese Communist Party Central Military Commission (CMC). Reuters All these developments come in the backdrop of Wang Yang is reportedly being groomed as Xi's successor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wang, a technocrat himself, in 2022 was considered to be a likely contender for the top job in China. The removal of generals close to Xi, the slow doing away of 'Xi Jinping Thought' from the narrative and the return of technocrats like Wang are indications that Xi may slowly being shown the door. This isn't the first time China had sidelined its high profile leaders. Interestingly, this happened most recently and publicly with Xi's predecessor Hu. Hu in 2022 was dragged out of the Chinese Communist Party's 20th ceremony. This occurred as Xi, who was sitting next to Hu, remained unmoving. Hu was even seen trying to talk to Xi but was publicly rebuffed. Chinese President Xi Jinping and former President Hu Jintao attend the closing session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017. Reuters Xi at Brics will be replaced by Chinese Premier Premier Li Qiang. Li previously filled in for Xi at the G20 in India in 2023. China blamed Xi's absence at Brics on a 'scheduling conflict'. Does India need to worry? Experts say India need to be on alert. They say China often uses external affairs as a way of relieving the pressure from internal disputes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They point out that turbulence within the political system in China is often a precursor to conflict on the border – like in 2012 and 2020. They say China could increase cyberattacks, step up disinformation efforts to try to create problems in India. China could also take to the United Nations to try to hurt India's international reputation and stymie India's efforts when it comes to reform and counter-terrorism.
