China spy stories undermine trust in Australia’s media

Subject

The impact of allegations of covert Chinese interference.

Significance

Two major media stories have reignited Australia’s intense debates over China’s attempts to exert political influence in the country. The first depicted the defection of a ‘Chinese spy’. The second claimed that an indebted businessman was offered a multi-million-dollar bailout by a Chinese agent to run for a seat in Australia’s parliament. Much about the stories, however, is doubtful or unclear.

Impacts

• There is unlikely to be much impact on Canberra's relations with Beijing, which has shown little interest.
• Stories of Chinese political interference will exacerbate suspicions of China in other Western countries, regardless of their accuracy.
• In Taiwan, the reports will help the China-sceptic government’s re-election campaign and attempts to strengthen counter-interference laws.