The Australian Government Gets a Case of the Wiggles

A Chinese diplomat in Austalia has requested political asylum and offered to expose of list of 1,000 PRC spies in Australian territory. The diplomat claims that China maintains this network for the specific purpose of monitoring dissidents and Falun Gong members, and that its agents have even participated in kidnappings. You would think that Australia would want to interview this man to assure that the freedoms of its citizens and residents are protected. You would be wrong.

A fugitive Chinese diplomat has accused Australian officials of refusing his asylum request within 24 hours and without interviewing him. Chen Yonglin also told an Australian newspaper that officials tipped off his bosses immediately after he requested political asylum. Mr Chen said he was defecting as he could no longer support what he said was China’s persecution of dissidents.

The Chinese consulate said Mr Chen had made up stories to avoid going home. Mr Chen, 37, who worked as the Chinese consul for political affairs in Sydney, has been refused political asylum but he could be given a protection visa. Australian authorities have confirmed they had received an application for a protection visa from the diplomat, but did not comment on the asylum application they had allegedly rejected. . . . The defection attempt has come at a delicate time, as Australia and China are trying to deepen economic and political ties.

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