China condemns Australian government for 'irrational behaviour' over foreign interference probe
The Federal Government has been accused by China of "blatant irrational behaviour", with reports six Chinese nationals have been questioned as part of a foreign interference investigation here.
Chinese media outlets said Australian police and security agencies had "raided" the homes of four Chinese state media reporters in June. Their equipment was seized and they were ordered not to comment on the investigation.
Some of the journalists were linked to an investigation examining the Chinese Communist Party infiltration of the office of NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane.
He is not part of the investigation.
Chinese officials have condemned a foreign interference investigation by Australian police and security agencies. Six Chinese citizens were questioned as part of it. Nine
The ABC reports Australian authorities are moving to cancel the visas of two Chinese academics.
Beijing did not respond to the raids in June but yesterday China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian lashed out at Australia.
"The Australian Government's behaviour severely interrupts the normal reporting of Chinese media outlets in Australia, blatantly violates the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists there and caused severe harm to the physical and mental health of the journalists and their families," Mr Lijian said.
He also said Australian police seized the laptops of journalists, "and even children's tablets and electronic toys for their kids".
"As we understand, the Australian side hasn't provided any reasonable explanation so far for searching and hasn't returned all the seized items to our journalists," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Australian Federal Police told nine.com.au the force had no comment to make on the matter.
Australian journalists Bill Birtles from the ABC and Michael Smith from the Australian Financial Review. Nine
Earlier this week, two Australian journalists who had been based in China - ABC reporter Bill Birtles and Australian Financial Review reporter Michael Smith - returned to Australia.
The pair were dramatically pulled out of China by their news organisations over fears they were no longer safe.
Birtles and Smith had endured a daunting last week, facing possible detention in China. Only high-level diplomatic negotiations had lifted the threat of indefinite detention and secured safe passage home.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
‘Unimaginable loss’: Two children killed in horror crash on the way home from school
Talia and Ebony were physically abused by their mother. Then she was made into a TV star
Blanche d’Alpuget, writer and widow of Bob Hawke, dies aged 82
Justine lost her brother suddenly. Then an unexpected email arrived
