Australian Court Charges Two Chinese Nationals Over Alleged Espionage on Buddhist Group

Two Chinese nationals have been charged in Australia with spying on a Buddhist group under orders from China, facing up to 15 years in prison. This is the second case under Australia’s foreign interference laws. Authorities warn such activities threaten national security and target diaspora communities, amid historically tense Australia-China relations.

Two Chinese nationals have recently fallen foul of Australia’s foreign interference laws, which were introduced in 2018 to address covert influence operations by foreign powers within the country. Authorities allege that the two individuals engaged in espionage activities targeting a Buddhist group in Canberra, allegedly acting under instructions from Chinese law enforcement agencies. The accused are a 25-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman. Both were scheduled to appear in an Australian court on Wednesday, each facing the charge of “reckless foreign interference.” If convicted, they could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. This case represents only the second instance in which Chinese nationals have been charged under Australia’s foreign interference legislation, making these two the fourth and fifth people to face such charges since the laws were enacted.
Australian federal police allege that the two accused worked in coordination with another Chinese woman who had been charged in August of last year for similar activities. The group is accused of covertly gathering sensitive information on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist group, a religious organization based in Canberra. Police claim that these activities were conducted under the direction of China’s Public Security Bureau, the country’s main domestic law enforcement authority. Beijing reportedly considers the Guan Yin Citta group to be a cult, although the group itself describes its mission as encouraging people to recite Buddhist scriptures, practice life liberation ceremonies, and make great vows aimed at helping others.
The investigation into this case began last year following a tip-off from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the country’s domestic intelligence agency. In a joint statement, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating that multiple foreign regimes are actively monitoring, harassing, and intimidating members of Australia’s diaspora communities. He noted that such behavior is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Burgess highlighted that foreign interference remains one of Australia’s main security concerns, describing the nation’s security environment as increasingly complex, dynamic, and challenging.
Stephen Nutt, Assistant Commissioner for Counterterrorism and Special Investigations, also weighed in, pointing out that Australia is not immune to foreign interference and cautioning that this arrest alone will not prevent further attempts to target the country’s diaspora communities. He emphasized that members of Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities are more likely to be victims of foreign interference or transnational repression than to be perpetrators.
The case takes place against a broader backdrop of tense relations between Australia and China, which have repeatedly been strained over the past decade. Disagreements over national security and competing interests in the Pacific region have contributed to these tensions. Australia has frequently accused China of attempting to infiltrate community organizations as a means of monitoring expatriates and dissidents. The introduction of the foreign interference laws, which Beijing perceived as being directed primarily at Chinese nationals, further added pressure to the already fragile bilateral relationship.
Despite these tensions, there have been some positive developments in recent years. In 2024, China lifted its ban on imported Australian rock lobsters, marking the end of a trade dispute that had been ongoing since 2017. Today, China remains a critical economic partner for Australia, accounting for nearly one-third of the country’s total trade, demonstrating the continued significance of the bilateral relationship even amid ongoing political and security challenges.