China has accused Australia of running a large-scale espionage operation, labelling Canberra a “fervent intelligence gatherer” that is “jeopardising others’ sovereignty and security”. The accusation, made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Tuesday, comes amid rising tensions between the two nations.
In a statement to Australian media, Zhao cited a report in the state-backed Global Times as evidence of Australian spying activities, describing it as merely the “tip of the iceberg”. The Global Times report, based on an anonymous Chinese law-enforcement source, claimed Australian spies had attempted to install wiretaps in the Chinese embassy in Canberra and were involved in instigating defections, spying on Chinese students, and feeding fake news to the media.
Zhao accused Australia of playing “the part of the victim” while “peddling rumours and stoking confrontation by staging a farce of the thief crying ‘stop thief’”. He warned that Australia’s behaviour had “long crossed the line” and demanded an honest answer from Canberra to the Chinese people and the international community.
The Chinese spokesman also criticised the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, of which Australia is a member, for engaging in “cyber espionage, spying and surveillance on foreign governments, companies and individuals”. He claimed that “irrefutable evidence” exists to prove Australia’s spying activities in China, though no new evidence was provided.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade defended the country’s intelligence agencies, stating they are “committed to protecting our national security, including the important work of countering the serious threat of foreign interference”. The statement did not directly address China’s specific allegations.
