Silent invasion: unmasking China’s espionage war in Australia

In the heart of Australia, a silent and insidious war is being waged. It's not fought with guns or bombs, but with spies, surveillance, and the strategic manipulation of our political, economic, and social fabric. The aggressor? China, whose tentacles of influence, infiltration and espionage have reached deep into Australian soil, threatening the very core of our democratic values and national security.

Amidst these pressing concerns, the visit of China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Australia this Wednesday for the 'Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue' presents a critical juncture. This engagement offers a prime opportunity for Australia to exert public pressure on China, demanding greater accountability and transparency, especially in light of the ongoing issues highlighted within this discourse. It is a moment for Australia to stand firm on its principles, advocating for the rights and protection of its citizens, including the Uyghur Australian community, against foreign interference and espionage.

China's interference in Australia is multifaceted, targeting our political institutions, universities, media, and diaspora communities. This meddling is not just a matter of foreign policy intrigue; it's a direct assault on the freedoms and safety of Australian citizens, particularly those of Uyghur descent. The plight of Uyghur Australians, harassed and intimidated by Chinese operatives, is a stark reminder of the CCP's translational repression with its menacing "omnipresence.".

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has repeatedly warned of the unprecedented level of foreign interference in our country. Yet, the full scale of this threat is still not widely understood by the public. Chinese espionage activities in Australia are not just about stealing secrets; they're about influencing our political decisions, silencing dissent, and controlling the narrative on China within our borders.

One of the most alarming aspects of this interference is the targeting of the Uyghur community in Australia. Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnic group originating from the occupied nation of East Turkistan, have long been subjected to brutal repression by the Chinese government. In what has been recognized by many international entities as a genocide, Uyghurs are facing mass detentions, surveillance, forced assimilation, enslavement, and ethnic and cultural erasure.

This persecution extends to Australian shores, where Uyghur Australians are systematically harassed by Chinese operatives. They receive threatening phone calls, are subjected to cyber-attacks, coerced to work for Chinese intelligence services as spies and their families back in their homeland are used as leverage to silence them. The message from Beijing is clear: regardless of your location or citizenship, no one can shield you from our reach.

The Australian government has implemented various measures to combat foreign interference, such as the implementation of the Foreign Interference Transparency Scheme and the enactment of new espionage laws. Nevertheless, there remains a pressing need to safeguard our national sovereignty and ensure the safety of our citizens, especially as China's tactics to infiltrate and disrupt communities become increasingly covert and forceful. It is imperative that we bolster our counter-espionage capabilities, enhance public understanding of this menace, and extend support to communities that are being targeted by intimidation from the Chinese government.

Moreover, Australia must uphold its principles steadfastly and resist any attempts of economic manipulation or diplomatic pressure from Beijing. Our response to China's human rights atrocities, particularly against the Uyghurs, must be unequivocal. We cannot turn a blind eye to genocide for the sake of trade or diplomatic relations. It is crucial for Australia to set a precedent, demonstrating to the global community that democratic values and human rights are non-negotiable.

China's meddling in Australian affairs is a test of our resolve as a nation. Will we stand up for our sovereignty, our democratic values, and the rights of all Australians, including those of Uyghur descent? Or will we allow ourselves to be manipulated and intimidated by a foreign power that does not share our values?

The choice is clear. We must take decisive action to counter Chinese espionage and interference, protect our citizens, and preserve our democratic way of life. This is not just a matter of national security; it's a matter of national identity. It's not merely about counterintelligence; it's about taking steps to counter China's aggressive foreign policy and increasing dominance in the region. Australia must not become a proxy playground for authoritarian regimes to impose their influence and promote their oppressive ideologies and surveillance tactics here in our country. .

The silent war of espionage and influence that China wages in Australia is not just a threat to our national security; it is an assault on the very principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights that define us as a nation. The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) tactics of intimidation, surveillance, and political manipulation are part of a broader strategy to assert its power and ideology beyond its borders, challenging the international order and the sovereignty of nations like Australia.

The Economic Front

China is currently Australia's largest trading partner, making up 26% of the country's goods and services trade in the fiscal year 2022-23. The two-way trade between Australia and China has increased by 12%, reaching a total of about $317 billion. However, this trade relationship has made Australia more dependent on China, which leaves it vulnerable to potential sabotage from the latter. The reality is that it is virtually impossible to safeguard Australia against potential sabotage from China while maintaining such a strong economic reliance on the latter. Striking a balance between financial ties and ensuring national security seems unattainable in this context.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that one of the most insidious tools in the CCP's arsenal is economic coercion. That is, the economic relationship with China, while beneficial in many respects, has been weaponized by Beijing. From imposing tariffs on Australian barley in response to calls for an independent investigation into the origins of COVID-19, to the informal bans on Australian coal, wine, and other products, the message is clear: political obedience and subjugation are expected in exchange for economic advantages.

This economic leverage is a form of silent coercion, aiming to influence Australian policy and suppress criticism of the Chinese policies, including its genocide of the Uyghurs and its actions in Hong Kong and the South China Sea. To counter this, Australia must diversify its trade relationships, rebuild domestic manufacturing, and reduce dependency on a single market. Strengthening connections with neighbouring nations in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond has the potential to foster economic stability and enhance security, thereby reducing China's capacity to wield economic pressure as a means of exerting influence. By building stronger alliances and partnerships, countries can create a more resilient and interconnected network that promotes mutual growth and safeguards against undue coercion.

The Battle for Minds

Another front in this silent war is the battle for hearts and minds, both within the Uyghur community in Australia and the broader Australian public.

Experts caution that the Chinese government continues to emphasise "intelligent warfare" involving artificial intelligence in military strategies, concepts, and operations, heralding the potential emergence of "cognitive warfare." This concept involves utilising advanced technologies like AI to manipulate the thoughts and actions of adversaries, subtly influencing them to align with China's agenda, disrupting their democratic processes, and ultimately gaining a strategic advantage without a fight.

The cognitive warfare initiated by China has already been set in motion across numerous Western nations, yielding initial triumphs. However, it remains of utmost importance to thoroughly evaluate the prevalence and methods employed in this warfare within Australia, specifically targeting the Australian public and various communities.

Furthermore, the Chinese government employs sophisticated disinformation campaigns, leveraging social media and other online platforms to spread propaganda, sow discord, and manipulate public opinion. These efforts are aimed at legitimising China's actions in East Turkistan and elsewhere, while discrediting critics and dissidents.

To effectively combat the spread of dis/mis/mal information by the Chinese government, Australia must prioritise the enhancement of digital literacy, resilience, and critical thinking skills among its population. By fostering a culture of scepticism and discernment, individuals can better identify and reject false narratives. Collaboration between media organisations, social media platforms, and educational bodies is crucial in unveiling and challenging the propaganda tactics employed by the Chinese government, safeguarding the Australian public from manipulation and misinformation.

Solidarity and Support

For Uyghur Australians, the fear of harassment, intimidation and surveillance is a daily reality.

To ensure the well-being of the Uyghur community, the Australian government should enhance its support by facilitating the reporting of incidents related to Chinese transnational repression to intelligence and security agencies. Legal measures may need to be taken in certain instances to address Chinese transnational repression of the Uyghur community in Australia. Additionally, measures should be taken to provide protection and assistance to those who are targeted by Chinese operatives. This support should encompass legal aid for individuals facing intimidation and mental health services for those coping with the distress of persecution and the anguish of having their family members detained in concentration camps in East Turkistan.

Furthermore, Australia should take a leading role on the international stage to advocate for the rights of Uyghurs and going the U.S. and other nations in officially recognizing and condemning China's atrocities against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan as genocide. By working with international partners and human rights organisations, Australia can help to coordinate a global response to the CCP's human rights abuses, applying pressure through diplomatic channels and international legal mechanisms.

The challenge posed by China's meddling and espionage is relentless, complex, and multifaceted, touching on every aspect of Australian life. Yet, it also presents an opportunity for Australia to define its values and stand up for its principles, to strengthen its self-protection capabilities and set up a precedent for allies to cope with the threats posed by China. By taking decisive action to protect our national security, support targeted communities, and lead internationally on human rights issues, Australia can resist China's attempts to undermine our sovereignty and erode our democratic way of life.

By taking this action, we are not only safeguarding ourselves but also providing a source of hope for those oppressed by the CCP. The struggle against external meddling and in defence of human rights demonstrates our dedication to the values of liberty, democracy, and legal governance. This is a battle that demands our unwavering determination and solidarity, for the betterment of our country and the international society.