China Says Spy Defector, a Convicted Fraudster

Date: 24 November 2019 - 21:34

News ID: ۷۳۰۷۷

PERTH, Australia (Dispatches) — China denied claims of a self-confessed spy seeking asylum in Australia, saying Sunday he is a convicted fraudster wanted by Shanghai police.
The Nine Network newspapers claimed that Chinese defector Wang "William” Liqiang has given Australia’s counterespionage agency inside intelligence on how Beijing allegedly conducts its interference operations abroad and revealed the identities of what it claimed China’s senior military intelligence officers in Hong Kong.
Wang claimed he was involved in the kidnapping in 2015 of one of five Hong Kong booksellers suspected of selling dissident materials. The incident has been a reference point for protesters during the ongoing unrest in Hong Kong.
He said he currently was living in Sydney with his wife and infant son on a tourist visa and had requested political asylum.
The Chinese Embassy on Sunday hit back at Wang and referenced a statement from Shanghai police, which said Wang was sentenced in Fujian province in October 2016 to one year and three months in prison for fraud with a suspended sentence of 1 ½ year.
It said he was wanted in relation to a fraud case from earlier this year.
"On April 19, 2019, the Shanghai police opened an investigation into Wang who allegedly cheated 4.6 million yuan from a person surnamed Shu through a fake investment project involving car import in February,” the statement said.
The embassy said Wang left for Hong Kong on April 10 carrying a fake Chinese passport and a fake Hong Kong permanent resident ID.
It said the Shanghai police were investigating the matter.
Last week, Liberal Party members Sen. James Paterson and Rep. Andrew Hastie said they had been barred entry to China for a study trip because of their criticism of the Chinese government.
Hastie told Nine Network on Sunday that Wang should be protected by the Australian government. "I’m of the view that anyone who’s willing to assist us in defending our sovereignty deserves our protection,” he said.