Name: China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg' - ABC News
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China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg' - ABC News

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China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg'ShareChina's Foreign Ministry has escalated its attacks on Australia, accusing the Federal Government of conducting espionage in China and calling tabloid claims of Australian spying the "tip of the iceberg".On Monday, the Chinese Government-owned Global Times published a story .The nationalistic paper also posted pictures of items which it said had been seized, including cash, a compass and a map of Shanghai.Australian government officials ridiculed the claims in private, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison dismissed questions about the article by saying: "I wouldn't be relying on Chinese state media for your sources."But late on Monday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian threw the Government's weight behind the Global Times story, saying there was "irrefutable evidence" of Australian spying in China."The Five Eyes intelligence alliance has long engaged in cyber espionage, spying and surveillance on foreign governments, companies and individuals. This is not a secret to anyone," he said."And Australia, an important member of the Five Eyes, has been a fervent intelligence gatherer in relevant countries. I am afraid that what is revealed by the Global Times this time is just the tip of the iceberg."The Five Eyes network comprises Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand and is used to share information and intelligence.The latest verbal assault from Beijing comes as .Ten days ago, Mr Morrison declared that Australia was facing which was putting pressure on public services and critical infrastructure.Mr Morrison did not publicly name the country responsible, but officials told journalists that China was almost certainly the nation behind the online assault.And last week, Australian authorities raided the office of New South Wales Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane as part of an investigation into .But Mr Zhao said there was no "solid evidence" of Chinese Government interference in Australia, and accused the Morrison Government of hypocrisy."They steal information and data from other countries, jeopardising others' sovereignty and security," he said."But they play the part of the victim, peddling rumours and stoking confrontation by staging a farce of the thief crying 'stop thief'. They have long crossed the line."Mr Zhao's comments were also sent to Australian reporters by the Chinese Embassy in Canberra.The Morrison Government's immediate response to the allegations was restrained."Consistent with long-standing practice by successive governments, we will not comment on intelligence matters," a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said."Australia's intelligence and security agencies are committed to protecting our national security, including the important work of countering the serious threat of foreign interference."But the increasingly hostile language from the Chinese Government has fed into growing anxieties in Canberra that Beijing is preparing to take further steps to punish Australia.In late 2018, Chinese authorities arrested Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, seemingly in retaliation for Canada's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who is facing charges in the United States.Anne-Marie Brady from the University of Canterbury said it was possible that ."I think that any Australians who remain in China should perhaps long ago have thought about returning, given the very strained relations," she told the ABC's PM program."There is a real risk that you can be caught up while being completely innocent of illegal activities."30 Jun 202030 Jun 2020Tue 30 Jun 2020 at 2:54am, 30 Jun 202030 Jun 2020Tue 30 Jun 2020 at 2:26pmMore on:

China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg'ShareChina's Foreign Ministry has escalated its attacks on Australia, accusing the Federal Government of conducting espionage in China and calling tabloid claims of Australian spying the "tip of the iceberg".On Monday, the Chinese Government-owned Global Times published a story .The nationalistic paper also posted pictures of items which it said had been seized, including cash, a compass and a map of Shanghai.Australian government officials ridiculed the claims in private, while Prime Minister Scott...

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China steps up attacks on Australia, says spying allegations just 'the tip of the iceberg' - ABC News

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