China, responding to allegations of interfering in Australian politics, says it has never tried to meddle in other countries' internal affairs and is not interested in doing so.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the comment at a daily news briefing on Monday, adding that some Australian media outlets had fabricated allegations of interference.
Some Australian politicians, organisations and media have "become seized with imaginary fears" on issues related to China, he said.
"They constantly fabricate cases of so-called Chinese spies infiltrating Australia ... However bizarre the story, lies are still lies in the end, whatever new guise they wear."
Melbourne car dealer "Nick" Zhao was allegedly cultivated by Beijing to run as a Liberal Party candidate before being found dead in a motel room in March.
The revelations came to light after startling allegations aired by Nine’s 60 Minutes cited sources with knowledge of the plot alongside its exposé on a would-be Chinese spy now seeking protection in Australia.
The AFP is reportedly "actively investigating" claims made by Mr Wang detailing Chinese intelligence services conducted foreign interference operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the alleged attempt to plant a Beijing spy in Australia's Parliament "deeply disturbing and troubling".
"These matters were already under investigation and those investigations are continuing," he said.
"I would caution anyone leaping to any conclusions about these matters. But I do find these allegations troubling and disturbing."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP
The cause of 32-year-old Mr Zhao's death has reportedly not been determined.
But he had allegedly contacted ASIO about being approached by a Chinese espionage ring to run for Parliament in Victoria's eastern suburb seat of Chisholm, where he was a Liberal Party member.
In a statement, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said the matter is currently the subject of a “coronial inquiry”.
“Australians can be reassured that ASIO was previously aware of [these] matters, and has been actively investigating them,” he said.
“Hostile foreign intelligence activity continues to pose a real threat to our nation and its security.”
ASIO says it is 'aware' of suspected China spy's alleged plot Source: SBS News
Revelations Australia’s spy agency is investigating the alleged attempt to infiltrate Parliament raised alarm in Canberra on Monday.
Senator James Paterson expressed his deep concern calling the allegations “profoundly disturbing”.
“It is difficult to imagine anything more serious than the suggestion than an Australian citizen … had pressure put on him to run for Parliament,” he said.
“To be an agent of a foreign government and that person is now dead.”
Liberal Senator James Paterson. Source: AAP
The senator was this month denied a visa to China over his criticisms of the Chinese communist party alongside Liberal MP Andrew Hastie.
Senator Pauline Hanson shared this sentiment.
“It distresses me, and for national security something we have to be very mindful to make sure, hopefully it hasn’t happened.”
“So do you really trust China? I don’t,” she said.
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson. Source: AAP
Alleged Chinese spy seeks protection
The allegations come alongside separate revelations broken by Nine’s 60 Minutes of a man claiming he is a Chinese spy seeking protection in Australia.
Wang “William” Liqiang has reportedly provided ASIO with details of how China's senior military intelligence officers fund and conduct political interference operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia.
Australian authorities are now considering his request for political asylum over fears of retribution against him from the Chinese Communist Party.
But Chinese police argue the man claiming political asylum as a former Chinese spy is a convicted fraudster.
Wang "William" Liqiang speaks to 60 Minutes. Source: 60 Minutes
Mr Wang Liqiang, 27-year-old, says he will be killed if he returns to China - with several politicians backing his claim for a protection visa.
His testimony includes allegations that a deep-cover spy ring carried out espionage and assassination on Australian soil.
Mr Morrison said Mr Wang could expect the same protection as any other Australian.
"He's in Australia. We have the rule of law in Australia," he said.
"And as a result then you can expect the same protections to apply to anyone who is living in our country."
Chinese media outlet The Global Times adopted a dismissive tone in response to Mr Wang's allegations
“Chinese people would intuitively know that Wang sounds like an opportunistic liar, probably a swindler. How can Wang’s hollow lies fool Australia’s intelligence agency," it wrote.
The allegations come as Australia manages the relationship with its largest trading partner over flash-points including ongoing protests in Hong Kong, and China's mass detention of Muslims in the Xinjiang region.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles said the reports of alleged foreign interference activity were “very concerning”.
“All of these matters are difficult in the context of the relationship,” he said.
“[But] the relationship remains fundamentally important to Australia.”
Prime Minister Morrison said the allegations of an infiltration plot were deeply disturbing. Source: AAP
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce believes Australia must be alive to the fact “the world order is changing”.
“Australia now has to make I believe a proper investigation into exactly what’s going on here way beyond a coronial inquiry,” he said.
“We have to be on the balls of our toes, I don’t think there’s only going to be one instance of this.”
Liberal MP Tim Wilson said Australia must not be afraid to call out the foreign interference.
“We have to work constructively with China but there are serious concerns around the action now of the allegations around Chinese intelligence agencies and their operations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick wants a Senate inquiry into this relationship over growing strategic, human rights and trade concerns.
“We need to look at what we can benefit from that relationship and what we need to be cautious about,” he said.
Mr Morrison said he could "assure Australians" protections against the espionage threats had never been stronger.
"What I can say is Australia is not naive to the threats that it faces more broadly. And I mean more broadly," he said.
"The Government has never been more determined to keep Australians free and safe from foreign interference."
With additional reporting from AAP
