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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Self-confessed Chinese spy spills secrets in Australia

The offices of China Innovation Investment Limited are seen in an office building in Hong Kong, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. Australia’s Treasurer on Saturday labeled detailed accusations of China infiltrating and disrupting democratic systems in Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan as “very disturbing”. A Chinese defector revealed he was part of the Hong Kong-based investment firm, which was a front for the Chinese government to conduct political and economic espionage in Hong Kong, including infiltrating universities and directing bashings and cyber attacks against dissidents. (Ng Han Guan / Associated Press)
Associated Press

PERTH, Australia – Australian media say a self-confessed Chinese spy has given Australia’s counterespionage agency inside intelligence on how Beijing conducts its interference operations abroad and revealed the identities of China’s senior military intelligence officers in Hong Kong.

Australia’s Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told reporters Saturday that the detailed accusations of China infiltrating and disrupting democratic systems in Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan are “very disturbing.”

The Nine network newspapers reported Chinese defector Wang “William“ Liqiang told ASIO – the country’s counterespionage agency – that he was involved in the kidnapping in 2015 of one of five Hong Kong booksellers suspected of selling dissident materials. The incident has been a reference point for protesters during the ongoing unrest in Hong Kong.

He is the first Chinese intelligence operative to blow his cover.