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AFP Charges Chinese National With Reckless Foreign Interference Over Canberra Buddhist Surveillance

This first charge under the 2018 law targeting ordinary residents stems from ASIO intelligence passed to Operation Autumn Shield

Printed Chinese and Australian flags are seen in this illustration, July 21, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Chinese national and Australian permanent resident was arrested after AFP executed search warrants in Canberra under Operation Autumn Shield following ASIO’s tip-off.
  • She is accused of acting on behalf of China’s Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information on the Canberra branch of the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association.
  • The reckless foreign interference offence under section 92.3 of the Criminal Code Act carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
  • AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said this marks the first foreign interference charge involving members of the general Australian community and warned further arrests remain possible.
  • Foreign Minister Penny Wong reaffirmed Australia’s strong legal frameworks and urged diaspora communities to report any suspicious activity to authorities.