In a sequence of tv interviews on Tuesday, Wong mentioned she could not touch upon a person case, however added Australia was taking a stand in opposition to overseas interference.
“We don’t tolerate harassment, intimidation, surveillance of Australians and we now have a robust framework to discourage overseas interference in our democracy,” she mentioned in an ABC radio interview.
It’s the third time prices have been introduced underneath foreign interference laws introduced in Australia in 2018, and the primary time a Chinese language nationwide has been charged underneath the laws.
A Chinese language overseas ministry spokesperson mentioned in an announcement the ministry “was not conscious of the specifics of the case” however would intently observe developments and “safeguard the professional rights and pursuits of its residents”.
“China has by no means interfered within the inner affairs of different nations, and firmly opposes any makes an attempt to disrupt regular people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between China and related nations underneath the pretext of ‘overseas interference’,” the spokesperson added.
A courtroom suppression order has prevented media from reporting the lady’s title.
The girl, who can be a everlasting resident of Australia, faces a most sentence of 15 years’ jail if she is convicted, in accordance with Australian Federal Police.
Police alleged the lady was tasked by a public safety bureau of China to covertly collect details about the Canberra department of Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist group.
China’s embassy in Canberra didn’t reply to a request for remark.
