19:
59:
322:
Chen himself denied the allegations, claiming photos of him donning
Chinese military uniforms were merely him borrowing a friend's military uniform to show off, and that he was given journalist accreditation by a media outlet owner so he could attend international political summits. Chen has also
812:
252:
A senior
Liberal Party member with knowledge of membership lists also said Zhao was not known to senior party members, by any measure. Scott Yung, a Chinese-Australian Liberal Party member, said he does not believe Zhao was ever "active" within the party.
802:
432:
lecturer Sow Keat Tok said while the repercussions would have been huge if the allegations are true and Zhao was elected, it would still have taken Zhao years, if not decades, to get into the inner circle of the
Australian decision-makers.
372:
Liu said she has "no recollection" of having met Zhao despite pictures of her and Zhao sitting next to each other on Lui's couch in her home, and at a restaurant. There are no suggestions that Liu was involved in the infiltration plot.
1214:
1149:
644:
244:
Sources familiar with Zhao's activities, however, describe him as a low-profile member of the local
Liberal Party branch. They say Zhao attended at least one branch gathering with members of his immediate family before the
389:
ASIO's
Director-General, Mike Burgess, refused to comment on the matter in depth due to "long-standing practice", but did say the agency was previously aware of the incident, and there is an active investigation underway.
854:
708:
210:
By early 2019, Zhao had a fallout with his wife over debts Zhao owed to
Chinese investors that were described as "shadowy". Reports say Zhao owed millions to people who, over time, became increasingly angry.
1119:
365:. Reports on this incident has brought renewed attention to allegations against Liu, especially since at least two photos show Liu and Zhao at a meeting that was held in Liu's former home during
189:
According to court records, Zhao was charged with obtaining financial advantage by deception in 2017, due to accusations he obtained loans via fraudulent means in order to buy luxury vehicles.
1204:
1141:
634:
1021:
376:
In
September 2019, it was reported that members of Liu's Liberal Party branch had called to relax foreign investment laws related to China at the 2017 Victorian Liberal Party Conference.
539:
575:
407:
1181:
357:
at the time of her membership. In addition, Liu has been accused of being an honorary chair of overseas
Chinese trade and commerce bodies that are believed to be linked to the
917:
988:
326:
There is no suggestion of Chen having any knowledge or involvement in Zhao's death. Chen has reportedly not returned to
Australia since leaving the country in March 2019.
844:
698:
238:
443:
said it may be possible that any approach made on behalf of the
Chinese Communist Party was not to target a particular election, but as part of a long-term strategy.
353:
Even prior to details of the infiltration plot being made public, Liu was accused of being a member of the China Overseas Exchange Association, which belonged to the
1086:
882:
305:
reported that Chen was flagged as a suspected senior Chinese intelligence operative by various Western security sources, and that Chen has posed for pictures in
1109:
354:
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171:
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347:
780:
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Chen was known to have made political donations to Australia's two major political parties, and his company was known to be promoting China's
86:
565:
1171:
740:
249:, but did not otherwise agitate to become an MP himself. They say Zhao stopped attending party events in 2016 amidst personal problems.
186:
Two of Zhao's former business associates described him as an ambitious man who got ahead of himself and wanted to make money quick.
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955:
978:
1262:
1053:
509:
948:[Giving you 20 million NTD to run for election! Australian media reveals dark details of "Chinese Communist agent"].
436:
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have decried the accusations as "nothing but lies", and accused Australia of "a state of hysteria and extreme nervousness".
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1016:
67:
233:
Records kept by the Liberal Party show Zhao as a party member in the Division of Chisholm from 2015 until his death.
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225:
ruled that Zhao died of suicide, having apparently overdosed on medication while under intense financial pressure.
197:
47:
319:, leading to accusations he was using the Belt and Road Initiative as a cover to conduct intelligence operations.
179:
The target of the plot was reported to be Bo "Nick" Zhao, who once owned a number of car dealerships and lived in
566:"Australia investigates 'China plot to plant spy in Parliament' as Scott Morrison insists 'not naive' to threat"
18:
457:
452:
27:
323:
denied knowing Zhao, in addition to denying reports that he is involved in Chinese intelligence activities.
362:
218:. The death happened just days prior to him intending to plead guilty in court to various fraud offenses.
422:
It was noted that Zhao's legal and financial troubles would have made it almost impossible for him to be
393:
306:
234:
805:[Australian media: Canberra is investigating Chinese efforts to install a spy in Parliament].
358:
316:
137:
773:[China rebuts accusations of installing a spy in Australia, calling the accusation lies].
343:
31:
1012:"Chisholm elects first female Chinese-Australian MP but historic win leaves a community divided"
741:"Bo 'Nick' Zhao was in a Melbourne jail awaiting a fraud trial during the Chisholm preselection"
1252:
770:
849:
221:
Zhao's death prompted a coroner's inquiry into the incident. In September 2020, a coroner in
1205:"What We Know About the Liberal Party Member Who Was Allegedly Bribed and Murdered by China"
1172:"'Nothing but lies': China accuses Australia of 'state of hysteria and extreme nervousness'"
1176:
745:
607:
222:
145:
93:, which airs 60 Minutes, nor the ASIO have confirmed when the approach to Zhao took place.
79:
39:
8:
570:
180:
74:, citing sources with knowledge of the plot. It was suggested that Chinese spies offered
1077:"The United Front Work Department and how it plays a part in the Gladys Liu controversy"
312:, in addition to posing as a journalist during certain international political summits.
26:
In late 2019, various media outlets around the world reported on alleged efforts by the
945:
775:
204:
85:
In 2018, the incident was reported by the man who was approached with the offer to the
845:"How Nick Zhao made enemies, faced charges, and was allegedly asked to spy for China"
429:
203:
Administrators began to pursue Zhao in 2019 over the collapse of a car dealership in
75:
1043:
499:
309:
214:
In March 2019, Zhao was found dead in a hotel room in the Mount Waverley area of
82:. The Division of Chisholm is noted to contain many voters of Chinese heritage.
922:
699:"China tried to plant its candidate in Federal Parliament, authorities believe"
396:
160:
342:
was elected as a Liberal Party MP for the Division of Chisholm, beating out a
1236:
950:
366:
58:
532:"ASIO investigating reports of Chinese plot to install agent in Parliament"
472:
423:
346:
candidate of Taiwanese heritage in a surprise but very narrow victory. See
193:
90:
71:
411:
1142:"Gladys Liu called to relax foreign investment before she became an MP"
1114:
983:
440:
339:
1209:
639:
602:
296:
215:
149:
141:
43:
1048:
807:
504:
467:
462:
66:
The alleged plot was made public during the November 24 airing of
1110:"Chinese spy scandal puts spotlight back on Liberals' Gladys Liu"
887:
883:"Death of Melbourne-based fraudster not suspicious, says coroner"
703:
918:"'Beijing agent' Bo "Nick" Zhao was low-profile Lib, party says"
399:
described the allegations as "deeply disturbing and troubling".
295:
Some media reports identified the person who approached Zhao as
1044:"Gladys Liu: The row over a trailblazing Chinese-Australian MP"
697:
McKenzie, Nick; Sakkal, Paul; Tobin, Grace (24 November 2019).
500:"Australia investigates alleged Chinese plot to install spy MP"
426:
by the Liberals as a candidate, let alone win the election.
241:, describe Zhao as a paid-up member of the Liberal Party.
239:
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
35:
598:"Australia investigates 'Chinese plot' to create spy MP"
228:
979:"Chinese spying allegations rock and roil Australia"
916:Ferguson, John; Schliebs, Mark (25 November 2019).
696:
881:McKenzie, Nick; Sakkal, Paul (21 September 2020).
843:Sakkal, Paul; McKenzie, Nick (29 November 2019).
22:Chamber of the Australia House of Representatives
1234:
915:
876:
874:
872:
734:
732:
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728:
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635:"China spy claims 'deeply disturbing', PM says"
355:State Council of the People's Republic of China
172:Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)
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559:
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348:Electoral results for the Division of Chisholm
96:
911:
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905:
402:
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122:
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87:Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
869:
811:(in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 25 November 2019.
779:(in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 25 November 2019.
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739:Bucci, Nino; Hui, Echo (28 November 2019).
554:
101:
78:1 million to fund a man's campaign for the
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944:Huang, Jingxuan, ed. (25 November 2019).
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17:
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192:Zhao was in jail in October 2018, when
1243:Chinese foreign electoral intervention
1235:
1202:
1152:from the original on 17 September 2019
1089:from the original on 25 September 2019
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1217:from the original on 17 December 2019
1184:from the original on 26 November 2019
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1056:from the original on 23 November 2019
991:from the original on 27 November 2019
958:from the original on 27 November 2019
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815:from the original on 27 November 2019
783:from the original on 27 November 2019
711:from the original on 27 November 2019
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647:from the original on 27 November 2019
578:from the original on 29 November 2019
563:
542:from the original on 27 November 2019
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494:
492:
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437:Australian Strategic Policy Institute
299:businessperson Brian Chen Chunsheng.
1122:from the original on 12 January 2020
976:
857:from the original on 6 December 2019
564:Torre, Giovanni (25 November 2019).
512:from the original on 2 December 2019
1082:Australian Broadcasting Corporation
1017:Australian Broadcasting Corporation
827:
417:
13:
1203:Butler, Gavin (25 November 2019).
1075:Manuel, Ryan (14 September 2019).
485:
229:Involvement with the Liberal Party
14:
1279:
1108:Burke, Kelly (24 November 2019).
1010:Dziedzic, Stephen (21 May 2019).
1024:from the original on 21 May 2019
48:2019 Australian federal election
1258:2019 in international relations
1196:
1164:
1134:
1101:
1068:
1036:
1003:
977:Boyd, Alan (24 November 2019).
937:
53:
590:
458:Foreign electoral intervention
237:, a Liberal MP who chairs the
1:
478:
384:
379:
363:United Front Work Department
329:
7:
1248:2019 in Australian politics
446:
408:Ministry of Foreign Affairs
97:Parties reportedly involved
10:
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403:People's Republic of China
183:with a wife and daughter.
28:People's Republic of China
1263:Australia–China relations
453:Australia–China relations
285:
278:
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167:
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130:
123:
117:
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317:Belt and Road Initiative
307:People's Liberation Army
1268:Chinese Communist Party
954:(in Chinese (Taiwan)).
359:Chinese Communist Party
32:Parliament of Australia
946:"出2千萬要你選！澳媒揭「中共代理人」黑幕"
63:
23:
1148:. 13 September 2019.
1052:. 16 September 2019.
850:Sydney Morning Herald
336:2019 Federal election
247:2016 Federal election
198:2019 federal election
61:
21:
1180:. 26 November 2019.
643:. 25 November 2019.
608:Agence France-Presse
538:. 26 November 2019.
508:. 25 November 2019.
265:Brian Chen Chunsheng
257:Brian Chen Chunsheng
134:March 2019 (Aged 32)
89:(ASIO). Neither the
80:Division of Chisholm
62:Division of Chisholm
40:Division of Chisholm
571:The Daily Telegraph
771:"中國駁斥在澳洲安插間諜指控是謊言"
610:. 25 November 2019
64:
30:to infiltrate the
24:
803:"澳媒：堪培拉查中方安插國會間諜"
430:Monash University
310:military uniforms
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34:by recruiting a
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70:on Australia's
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102:Bo "Nick" Zhao
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38:to run in the
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1253:2019 in China
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951:Liberty Times
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29:
20:
16:
1219:. Retrieved
1208:
1198:
1186:. Retrieved
1175:
1166:
1156:18 September
1154:. Retrieved
1145:
1136:
1124:. Retrieved
1113:
1103:
1091:. Retrieved
1080:
1070:
1058:. Retrieved
1047:
1038:
1026:. Retrieved
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993:. Retrieved
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960:. Retrieved
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927:. Retrieved
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892:. Retrieved
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859:. Retrieved
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817:. Retrieved
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785:. Retrieved
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750:. Retrieved
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713:. Retrieved
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649:. Retrieved
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612:. Retrieved
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580:. Retrieved
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514:. Retrieved
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473:Sam Dastyari
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194:preselection
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110:Nick Zhao Bo
91:Nine Network
84:
72:Nine Network
65:
54:Alleged plot
25:
15:
1221:26 November
1188:26 November
1126:26 November
1060:26 November
995:26 November
962:28 November
929:27 November
861:30 November
819:28 November
787:28 November
776:Now TV News
715:26 November
651:26 November
582:26 November
546:26 November
516:26 November
412:Geng Shuang
344:Labor Party
289:Businessman
46:during the
1237:Categories
1115:Seven News
1093:4 December
1028:4 December
984:Asia Times
479:References
441:Alex Joske
340:Gladys Liu
286:Occupation
157:Occupation
68:60 Minutes
1210:Vice News
1146:NewsComAu
640:Nine News
603:France 24
385:Australia
380:Reactions
369:in 2016.
330:Aftermath
297:Melbourne
216:Melbourne
181:Glen Iris
150:Australia
142:Melbourne
44:Melbourne
1215:Archived
1182:Archived
1177:ABC News
1150:Archived
1120:Archived
1087:Archived
1054:Archived
1049:BBC News
1022:Archived
989:Archived
956:Archived
855:Archived
813:Archived
808:Ming Pao
781:Archived
746:ABC News
709:Archived
645:Archived
576:Archived
540:Archived
536:ABC News
510:Archived
505:BBC News
468:Dio Wang
463:Entryism
447:See also
439:analyst
424:selected
223:Victoria
205:Brighton
196:for the
146:Victoria
888:The Age
704:The Age
334:In the
303:The Age
894:4 May
752:4 May
614:4 May
163:owner
1223:2019
1190:2019
1158:2019
1128:2019
1095:2019
1062:2019
1030:2019
997:2019
964:2019
931:2019
896:2021
863:2019
821:2019
789:2019
754:2021
717:2019
653:2019
616:2021
584:2019
548:2019
518:2019
131:Died
361:'s
279:陳春生
276:or
273:陳俊成
121:or
42:in
36:spy
1239::
1213:.
1207:.
1174:.
1144:.
1118:.
1112:.
1085:.
1079:.
1046:.
1020:.
1014:.
987:.
981:.
920:.
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871:^
853:.
847:.
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606:.
600:.
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568:.
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487:^
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124:周波
118:趙波
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520:.
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