- China has lashed out at Australian authorities, for allegedly raiding the home of several Chinese journalists living in Australia
- The raids by Australian Federal Police occurred back in June and saw some of the reporter’s equipment seized
- China didn’t respond to the raids at the time, instead taking aim recently as a row emerged between the two countries on press freedom
- Specifically, two Australian journalists were smuggled out of Beijing amid the arrest of another journalist in August
- China and Australia have been engaged in tit-for-tat measures for some time, with tensions between the two nations escalating in recent months
China has condemned Australian officials, for allegedly raiding the homes of four Chinese journalists back in June.
It’s the latest tit-for-tat measure between the two countries who have been fighting in recent weeks about the issue of press freedom.
Specifically, Australian embassy and consulate figures helped two Australian journalists working in China flee the country over the weekend.
The two reporters had been questioned by Chinese officials in the lead-up to their exit, in relation to the detainment of fellow Australian journalist Cheng Lei.
The state-news anchor was secretly arrested by China’s police last month, as they investigated suspected state security violations.
DFAT had warned other Australians were at risk of being arbitrarily detained and had pushed for the remaining journalists in Beijing to flee before they were questioned.
But, Chinese officials have now accused Australian officials of undermining their press freedom by raiding four Chinese-national reporter’s homes back in June this year.
Several of the AFP raids were reportedly linked to the investigation of the Chinese Communist Party’s alleged infiltration of NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane’s office.
However, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian said the raids were designed to intimidate.
“The Australian Government’s behaviour severely interrupts the normal reporting of Chinese media outlets in Australia, blatantly violates the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists there and caused severe harm to the physical and mental health of the journalists and their families,” he said.
It is learned in late June, Australian intelligence agency staffs raided and interrogated 4 Chinese journalists, took away their laptops, phones and kids’ laptops and toys. The operation hasn’t been justified and the belongings haven’t been returned by the Australian side. pic.twitter.com/5IxjLyfz6P
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) September 9, 2020
China’s Foreign Affairs Spokesman also accused officials of maliciously confiscating the journalists’ possessions — including their kid’s iPads.
This is the first time Beijing has spoken about the raids and the timing of its criticism has led to speculation to it was in response to the aforementioned recent events.
Today’s criticism is also the latest tit-for-tat measure between the two countries, whose relationship has deteriorated in recent months for a variety of reasons.
These include disagreements on trade, land and human rights issues.