(VOVWORLD) -Tensions are escalating between China and Australia as Beijing has alleged the homes of Chinese journalists and academics were raided by Australia’s intelligence services.
Screenshot of CGTN shows a Chinese female journalist. (Photo: vov.vn)
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The allegations, reported by Chinese media on Wednesday, claimed intelligence officers in June interrogated and searched the Chinese reporters.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday called the search of journalists' homes “unreasonable acts.” In a regular briefing on Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that in late June authorities in Australia interrogated four journalists from Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group and China News Service. The Chinese reporters had their residences searched over potential violations of Australian foreign interference laws, and their work computers, phones and other devices were seized, Zhao said. “The Australian side has yet to provide a reasonable explanation for the searches of our reporters, and have still not returned all of their seized possessions,” he said.
Regarding the Chinese investigation and interrogation of two journalists working for the ABC and AFR who left China earlier, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday that the relevant departments in China, during their investigation of a case, questioned the two journalists in accordance with law. These were normal law enforcement activities, he said.
Meanwhile, Canberra on Wednesday revoked the visas of two leading Chinese scholars. This followed Chinese interrogation of two Australian journalists who then repatriated after the Australian embassy’s intervention. There is no Australian journalist working in China now, which has been unprecedented since the 1970s.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said “This is a very disappointing series of events.” MP Joel Fitzgibbon commented that the relationship between Australia and China is at the lowest level.