Two Additional Suspects Face Court Over Alleged Spying for China in Canberra
Two more individuals have been charged with spying on a Canberra Buddhist association on behalf of the Chinese government, marking a significant development in an ongoing national security investigation. The Australian Federal Police have confirmed that a 25-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, both Chinese nationals, are expected to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 11, facing charges of reckless foreign interference.
Operation Autumn-Shield Targets Covert Information Gathering
The investigation, codenamed Operation Autumn-Shield, was initiated in March 2025 following intelligence shared by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Police allege that the pair worked under the direction of a public security bureau in China to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist association. They are accused of collaborating with another woman, who was arrested last year and has pleaded not guilty to similar foreign interference charges.
This case brings the total number of people charged with foreign interference offences in Australia to five since the laws were introduced by the Commonwealth in 2018. The charges underscore the persistent threat of espionage activities targeting Australian communities.
Authorities Warn of Ongoing Threats to Diaspora Communities
AFP Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt emphasised the seriousness of foreign interference, describing it as a crime that undermines democracy and social cohesion. "Australia is not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities," he stated. "One of the best defences to foreign interference is increased community awareness of the threat and the reporting of suspicious activity to authorities."
Nutt further noted that members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities are more likely to be victims of foreign interference or transnational repression than offenders, highlighting the vulnerability of these groups.
ASIO Director-General Highlights Principal Security Concerns
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess reiterated that foreign interference remains one of Australia's principal security concerns. "A complex, challenging and changing security environment is becoming more dynamic, diverse and degraded," he said. "Multiple foreign regimes are monitoring, harassing and intimidating members of our diaspora communities. This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable and cannot be tolerated."
Authorities have urged individuals or community groups who believe they are targets of foreign interference to contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. The case continues to unfold as police pursue further leads in this high-profile investigation.
