Chinese media recently confirmed that Australian intelligence agencies launched a "raid" on the residence of Chinese journalists in Australia in June this year, seizing work computers, mobile phones and other items, even children's tablets and electronic toys for children.
In this regard, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian pointed out that the Australian side has not yet given a reasonable explanation for the search of Chinese journalists, and has not returned all the seized items to Chinese journalists. On September 13, local time, under the question of reporters, the Australian side finally made a very vague and contradictory response.
According to the Associated Press, Australian Interior Minister Peter Dutton (ABC) in an interview on the 13th, refused to confirm that the Australian National Security Agency (ASIO) had "interrogated" four Chinese journalists in June, but said that this intelligence agency did carry out "operations". In addition, he warned foreign journalists not to make "tendentious" views, otherwise they risk being scrutinized by Australian federal agencies.
Dutton was interviewed by ABC TV on the 13th video screenshot
Mr. Dutton did not name China in the interview, but he mentioned some of the journalists who reported to "specific groups." The Associated Press noted that while Dutton did not mention China, he made the remarks after two Australian journalists left China last week. The two journalists, after being questioned by the Chinese police, hid in the Australian embassy.
For these journalists who report to "specific groups", Dutton warned: "If people come to Australia as journalists and report the news impartially, that's fine, but journalists shouldn't make 'biased' views about specific groups." ”
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Dutton did not explain what a "biased" view was, and when asked about the Australian National Security Agency's "interrogation" of four Chinese journalists in June, Dutton did not confirm it, saying only that the NSA's "activities" did exist.
Dutton also declared, "As long as the NSA has sufficient grounds to enforce a search warrant or engage in other activities, they will engage in related activities." If someone pretends to be a journalist or business leader or anyone else, and there is evidence that they are acting in violation of Australian law, the National Security Agency, the Australian Police and other agencies will take action. ”
On the evening of the 8th, Xinhua Net published an article entitled "The "White Terror" Rises in Australia's Sediment", written by Yan Lin, an observer on international issues. The article mentioned that on June 26 this year, personnel of Australia's national intelligence agencies "raided" and searched the residence of Chinese media journalists in Australia without any legitimate reasons and without providing any evidence, and asked Chinese journalists to "keep secrets" about the search.
In late June, Australian security intelligence agencies raided and interrogated four journalists from Xinhua News Agency, China Central Radio and Television Corporation, and China News Agency in Australia on the grounds that they might have violated Australia's "Anti-Foreign Interference Law," seizing work computers, mobile phones, and other items, including children's tablets and electronic toys used by journalists' children. The actions of the Australian side have seriously interfered with the normal reporting activities of Chinese media in Australia, grossly infringed upon the legitimate legitimate rights and interests of Chinese media reporters in Australia, and caused serious damage to the physical and mental health of journalists and their families.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian revealed at a press conference on September 10 that the Australian side has not yet given a reasonable explanation for the search of Chinese journalists and has not returned all the seized items to Chinese journalists.
Zhao Lijian said that the Australian side arbitrarily searched Chinese media reporters in Australia without any evidence, seriously interfered with the normal reporting activities of Chinese media in Australia, grossly infringed on the legitimate legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists in Australia, and fully exposed the hypocrisy of "press freedom" and so-called "respect and protection of human rights" flaunted by some people in Australia.
On 10 September, the China Journalist Association issued the "Statement of the All-China Journalists Association on Raiding and Searching Chinese Journalists by Relevant Institutions in Australia," pointing out that the Australian side's actions were a gross violation of the legitimate reporting rights, personal rights, and property rights of Chinese journalists in Australia, seriously interfered with the normal reporting activities of Chinese media in Australia, and caused serious damage to the physical and mental health of Chinese journalists and their families.
Subsequently, Xinhua News Agency and China News Agency issued separate statements expressing strong condemnation and resolute opposition to the recent barbaric intrusion of Australian intelligence agents into reporters' residences, rough searches and seizures of journalistic equipment and personal belongings.
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