Prominent critics of the CCP decided to go public out of frustration no arrests had been made, or charges laid, since learning they were suspected targets of a foreign interference operation.

By Matthew Knott | Published by Sydney Morning Herald

Summary

June 15: As Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives in Adelaide for a four-day Australian visit, details of a secretive foreign interference probe have emerged.

Drew Pavlou, a University of Queensland student and anti-Beijing activist who ran for the Senate in the 2022 federal election, and another individual, Xu, have urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise concerns about foreign interference in his discussions with Li. This call has been backed by the federal opposition.

Pavlou revealed that he was called in for a meeting at the Australian Federal Police (AFP) offices in Brisbane in August 2023 where he was informed by AFP officers there was an ongoing investigation into foreign interference, which had uncovered attempts by agents of foreign interference to find his address. Search warrants had been issued, searches had taken place, but no arrests had been made. Pavlou was told there was a possibility he might be needed as a Crown witness in a foreign interference trial.

Pavlou has been involved in several high-profile protests against China and has faced scrutiny and challenges as a result of his activism. He has called for Albanese to address the issue of foreign interference with Li, emphasizing that such actions are a breach of Australia’s sovereignty.

[Pavlou] said he had decided to speak publicly because he found it “mind-boggling” that no legal action had yet been taken against those involved in the operation.

Xu, a comedian and researcher who wrote a report on Uyghurs being used for forced labor in China, revealed she had received a call from the AFP in August last year while living in Germany. She was told that persons of interest had been identified in a foreign interference investigation relating to her. Xu was advised not to speak to the media and to take precautions to avoid becoming a target. She said she was baffled why no action was taken nor had she heard anything since from police about the matter.

Xu said she no longer felt safe living permanently in Australia after being followed and sent death threats.

“I travel constantly, I move every few months,” she said. “My theory is that if I move around a lot, it will push up the budget so much China will eventually give up on following me.”

Both Pavlou and Xu have expressed concerns about their safety and the need for the Australian government to protect its citizens from foreign interference.

The AFP has confirmed that espionage and foreign interference represent a serious threat to Australian sovereignty and security. The AFP is part of the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce, which is investigating a range of foreign interference matters.

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