Chinese National Charged With Alleged Foreign Interference in Canberra
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A third person has been charged under Australia’s foreign interference laws.
The Chinese woman has been accused of allegedly spying on a Canberra-based Buddhist group on behalf of Beijing.
The woman, who is also an Australian permanent resident, was arrested by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Aug. 2 and appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Aug. 4.
She has been charged with one count of reckless foreign interference—an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
The AFP launched Operation Autumn-Shield in March 2025 following intelligence provided by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
Search warrants were executed at several Canberra homes, leading to the seizure of electronic devices and other materials, which are now undergoing forensic analysis. The AFP alleges the woman was directed by the CCP’s Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist association.
First Community-Focused Charge Under 2018 Laws
This marks the first time a foreign interference charge has been laid in relation to an Australian community group, and only the third time such a charge has been used since federal laws were introduced in 2018.A Victorian man, Duong Di Sanh, was charged in November 2020, and a New South Wales man, Alexander Csergo, in April 2023.
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AFP Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said Australia, like other similar countries, remains vulnerable to foreign interference and warned that further attempts to target diaspora communities are likely despite the arrest.
Assault on Aussie Values: ASIO
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said he was proud of this organisation’s role in the investigation.Burgess said this type of foreign interference being alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms, and sovereignty.
“In this year’s Annual Threat Assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, ‘we are watching, and we have zero tolerance.’ Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve,” he said.
The case follows the 2024 conviction of Melbourne businessman and former Liberal candidate Di Sanh Duong, who was sentenced to two years and nine months for attempting to influence former minister Alan Tudge.
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