Beijing claimed Wednesday that Australia's intelligence agency questioned foreign correspondents working for Chinese state-run media, seizing computers and mobile phones in raids apparently linked to a billowing spy scandal.
The accusation, the latest scrap in a diplomatic falling-out that spans security, trade and media freedoms, follows an investigation by Beijing into Australian journalists based in China.
The last two foreign correspondents working for Australian media in China fled Monday, while another — Cheng Lei, who worked as an anchor for Chinese state TV — is being detained under "national security" laws.
On Wednesday a spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs added a new layer to the intrigue, saying Australia-based journalists from Xinhua, China News Service and the China Media group were the target of Australian intelligence raids in late June.
Four journalists were "interrogated… on the grounds of a possible breach of Australia's anti-foreign interference laws", Zhao Lijian told reporters.
They were questioned and had their phones, computers and even their children's tablets confiscated.
"I would like to stress that the journalists of the Chinese media in Australia have strictly observed local laws and regulations," he said.
Australia's actions "seriously interferes with the normal reporting duties of the Chinese media… and causes serious damage to the physical and mental health of the journalists and their families."
The Australian intelligence activity is alleged to have taken place on June 26 and involved four journalists working in Australia.
ASIO, Australia's main intelligence agency, refused to confirm or deny the raids, while the Australian Federal Police said it had "no comment to make" on the matter.
Media and court documents show Australian intelligence and police officers raided the home and office of New South Wales state legislator Shaoquett Moselmane that day as part of a months-long investigation into covert Chinese influence campaigns in Australia.
The timing of the allegations against Australian intelligence coincided with a furore over the treatment of two Australian correspondents in China, Bill Birtles and Michael Smith.
After midnight visits to their homes by Chinese police last week, the pair secretly fled to diplomatic compounds in Beijing and Shanghai.
They were allowed to leave the country only after days of diplomatic wrangling and an agreement that they would undergo questioning before departure.
Both men were quizzed about fellow Australian Cheng Lei, who has been detained in China since last month.
Their case has been seen another blow to press freedom in China and emblematic of rapidly deteriorating relations between Beijing and Canberra.
China says Australian TV anchor detained on 'national security' grounds
Beijing (AFP) Sept 8, 2020 – China said Tuesday that it had detained a high-profile Australian journalist working for its state media on "national security grounds".
Cheng Lei's detention was a new blow to deteriorating relations between the two countries that have seen China warn its citizens of travelling to Australia and vice versa.
In the first comments on CGTN anchor Cheng Lei, held since August 14, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said authorities took "compulsory measures" against her on suspicion "of criminal activity endangering China's national security".
"The case is still in the process of investigation in accordance with the law," Zhao said, adding that her "legal rights and interests are all receiving full legal protection".
He did not give further details of the allegations against her.
Cheng — who conducted interviews with international CEOs for CGTN's Global Business and BizTalk shows — has not been seen in public since being held, although Australian diplomats in Beijing were able to speak to her on August 27.
Two other Australian reporters Bill Birtles and Michael Smith fled China overnight, saying they also feared arrest.
"As long as foreign journalists obey the law… they have no reason to worry," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said after stating authorities had investigated the Australian pair as part of an unspecified case.
The Australian Financial Review, Smith's employer, reported that both journalists had been told that "they were persons of interest in an investigation into Ms Cheng".
Cheng is the second high-profile Australian citizen to be detained in Beijing after writer Yang Hengjun was arrested in January 2019 on suspicion of espionage.
Earlier this year, Australia warned its citizens they faced the risk of arbitrary detention if they travelled to China.
US says China 'afraid' of free media after new restrictions
Washington (AFP) Sept 8, 2020 –
The United States on Tuesday accused China of fearing a free media as it denounced Beijing's new restrictions on the international press.
China's foreign ministry "has informed us that they plan to further limit access for foreign journalists working in the PRC," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.
"These proposed actions will worsen the reporting environment in China, which is already suffering a dearth of open and independent media reporting," she wrote on Twitter.
"Why is the CCP afraid of independent and investigative media reporting?" she said, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.
China warned Tuesday that foreign journalists must "obey the law" to work in the country.
It made the announcement after investigating two Australian journalists who fled Tuesday under diplomatic protection, fearing arrest.
Fellow Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been detained since last month, and China has acknowledged she is being held on national security grounds.
China has already expelled US journalists from major newspapers, raising concerns that Beijing is seeking to stop investigative reporting, including on human rights.
Beijing acted against US journalists after the State Department tightened regulations on Chinese state media outlets, calling them propaganda, although it did not restrict their journalists' right to report inside the United States.
