Two Chinese nationals have been arrested in Canberra, accused of covertly gathering intelligence on a local Buddhist group and sending it back to China. This follows a previous arrest and charge of a Chinese national in the same investigation, which has raised concerns about foreign interference and potential espionage. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) have been working together to uncover these activities, with ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess warning that foreign regimes are monitoring, harassing, and intimidating members of the diaspora. He emphasized the importance of community awareness and reporting suspicious activities to authorities as a defense against foreign interference. The accused pair, a 25-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, are facing charges of reckless foreign interference, which carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and potential risks associated with foreign interference and the need for vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community.
