Payment Offered to Chinese Expats in Australia for Welcoming Premier Li Qiang on WeChat
Former Chinese diplomat reveals that the Chinese embassy is coordinating support for the upcoming Australian tour of China’s premier. Li Qiang is set to visit Australia in mid-June, and a notice has been circulating among local Chinese expats in Australia, offering payments to mobilize them to “welcome” the high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official.
The bilingual notice, obtained by The Epoch Times, promises to cover all costs for mobilizing Chinese Australians and Chinese expats in Canberra to welcome Mr. Li. The notice encourages Chinese people from all over Australia to form a welcome team to Canberra on 16th, 17th, and 18th June for 3 days and two nights, providing food, accommodation, and transport. The goal is to demonstrate patriotism.
According to former diplomat Chen Yonglin, who defected to Australia in 2005, the organizers behind this “welcome” initiative are likely to be the Chinese regime’s embassy or one of its four consulates. Chen emphasizes that the CCP places great importance on organizing such events to make a good impression when their leaders visit foreign countries.
Chen highlights that payment for expenses like food, accommodation, and transportation is likely to come directly from the Chinese consulate. However, Chinese companies in Australia or overseas Chinese community leaders may also contribute, which is essentially equivalent to funding from the CCP.
Chen believes that Australia’s “Espionage and Interference Act,” passed in 2018, has deterred pro-CCP Chinese Australians and Chinese expats from participating in such activities as their motivation to do the CCP’s bidding has decreased. The law aims to combat foreign interference in Australia’s democratic processes and systems.
Mr. Li’s visit to Australia will mark the first time a Chinese premier has visited in seven years. Amidst tense relations between Australia and China, his trip is expected to include political talks in Canberra and meetings with business leaders in Perth. The visit comes after recent incidents, including Chinese warplanes firing flares at an Australian Navy helicopter and Australian MPs attending events in Taiwan, which angered Beijing.
Overall, the Chinese embassy’s efforts to mobilize support for Premier Li Qiang’s Australian tour have sparked concerns about foreign interference and the influence of the CCP in Australia.
