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Australia defends raid on Chinese journalists, says acted on evidence of foreign interference
- The incident, involving four Chinese state media journalists, was revealed by China’s foreign ministry this week
- Australia’s trade minister told local media that security agencies respond ‘appropriately’ to foreign interference concerns
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Australia’s security agencies acted on evidence related to a foreign interference investigation when a raid was conducted on Chinese journalists in June, the country’s trade minister said on Friday.
The incident, involving four Chinese state media journalists, was revealed by China’s foreign ministry this week, in the wake of two Australian journalists departing China after questioning by Chinese police.
Relations between Australia and top trading partner China are at a low ebb after Beijing was angered by Canberra’s call for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus , responding with trade reprisals, and Australia has toughened national security tests for foreign investment.
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Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the Australian security agencies had acted according to the law.
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“We appropriately respond in relation to any foreign interference concerns that are raised in Australia,” he told the ABC News Breakfast television programme, when asked about the incident.
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“We do it purely in relation to the evidence,” he added.
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