‘Hypocrisy’: China blows up after Australia raided its journos homes

Опубликованно 15.09.2020 16:30

The comments follow two Australian journalists fleeing China with help from Australian officials after state police knocked on ABC reporter Bill Birtles’ door at midnight to inform him he was involved in a case.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian has condemned Australian authorities for saying Beijing was engaging in “hostage diplomacy”, while questioning Chinese journalists was normal procedure.

“It fully revealed some Australians’ unfounded sense of superiority, hypocrisy and double standards,” Mr Zhao said.

Australian intelligence officers reportedly raided, searched and questioned in June four journalists who worked for the Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group and China News Service in Australia.

Mr Zhao said they were probed over the possible violation of foreign interference laws.

Computers, mobile phones, educational tablets and children’s electronic toys were seized from the premises.

“The Chinese journalists were threatened, intimidated and not allowed to contact the local Chinese consulate-general,” he said.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says Australian intelligence agencies operate in accordance to our own laws and are accountable for how they conduct their operations. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

Mr Zhao defended the handling of two Australian journalists, saying it was “in accordance to the law”.

He dismissed allegations the journalists were forced out of China, saying it was the Australian embassy that asked them to leave Beijing as soon as possible and arranged their stay in the Australian diplomatic premises.

“They amount to disruption in the Chinese side’s lawful investigation and interference in China’s domestic affairs and judicial sovereignty,” he said.

But Trade Minister Simon Birmingham defended the Australian embassy’s actions saying it provided the support Australians would expect if people were in trouble.

“Our view is that our officials acted appropriately, they ensured the safety of the two Australians involved and they resolved the matter diplomatically through discussions with Chinese authorities,” Senator Birmingham told ABC.

On the June raids, Senator Birmingham said the government took foreign interference matters very seriously.

“But we undertake these matters in no way in response to actions of other countries. We do it purely in relation to the evidence that may be there, the concerns that our agencies have, and they act then on those individual cases and matters,” Senator Birmingham said.

He did not have further information about Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who remains detained in China.

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