There has been an international backlash against the news that two Australian journalists have been evacuated from China due to security threats.
The journalists in question returned to Australia on Tuesday (September 8, 2020) and recounted the experience of having their doors knocked on late one night last week by Chinese state security agents.
A few hours later, Chinese state media Xinhua published an article stating that at dawn on June 26 this year, Australian state intelligence agents raided the homes of Chinese media reporters in Australia, questioned the reporters for several hours, and took away their work computers, cell phones and other office supplies. According to the article, the Australian intelligence officers also asked the Chinese journalists not to disclose the raid to the public.
The Xinhua article, reprinted on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Australia, states that Australian intelligence agents also searched the home and office of Labor Party MP Moselman because the MP had publicly praised China’s achievements in dealing with the new coronavirus and criticized Australia’s policy toward China.
The Xinhua article called the raid by Australian authorities a naked white terror against Chinese personnel and China-friendly individuals. The article makes no mention of the emergency evacuation of two Australian journalists from China.
Reuters reported that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) said in an email response to a reporter’s inquiry that the agency does not comment on intelligence matters, in line with its usual practice. The Australian Federal Police (AFP), which searched the offices of Moselman and a Chinese-American employee on June 26, said the search warrants were related to an ongoing investigation, the report added. The AFP is investigating whether the Chinese-American employee illegally interfered in Australian politics to advance China’s national interests, according to documents from the Australian High Court.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Beijing correspondent Bill Birtles and Australian Financial Review’s Shanghai correspondent Mike Smith were evacuated from China on Monday in what is seen as a deteriorating relationship between the two countries. The incident was seen as the latest development in the deteriorating relationship between the two countries and meant that for the first time since the mid-1970s when diplomatic relations were established between the two countries, Australia did not have an officially accredited journalist in China.
Federal Senator Rex Patrick of South Australia said that if Australian journalists can no longer safely report from China, then the Australian government should take the necessary action to end the operations of the Chinese Communist Party’s main propaganda agency, Xinhua, in Australia.
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