Insta
Australia Probes Alleged Chinese Plot To Install Manchurian Candidate To Spy In Its Parliament
(Picture courtesy: maxpixel.net)
The Australian intelligence agencies are investigating allegations into a plot aimed at planting a Chinese spy in the nation's parliament, officials have confirmed.
The allegations -- first aired by local network Nine -- asserted that a suspected Chinese espionage ring approached a Chinese-Australian man to run as an MP, a BBC report said.
"Australians can be reassured that ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) was previously aware of matters that have been reported today (25 November), and has been actively investigating them," ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said in a statement, and added "Hostile foreign intelligence activity continues to pose a real threat to our nation and its security."
The Australian government has said it is taking the allegations seriously, following a rare public statement from the nation's domestic spy agency.
China is yet to respond to the claims.
On Sunday (24 November), Nine's 60 Minutes programme reported that suspected Chinese agents approached a luxury car dealer, Nick Zhao, ahead of Australia's general election -- which took place in May.
They allegedly offered him $680,000 to fund his run for a Melbourne seat as a candidate for the ruling Liberal Party, of which Zhao was already a member.
Zhao gave information about the alleged approach to the ASIO in 2018, Nine reported. "I am in Australia but I feel censored by Chinese students," he said before being found dead in a hotel room in Melbourne in March.
It was his death that prompted the inquiry.
(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
