AUSTRALIA PROBES CLAIM CHINA EYED SPY IN PARLIAMENT

MELBOURNE—AUSTRALIA is investigating allegations that China tried to install an agent in a parliamentary seat in Canberra, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) said in a rare statement, adding it was taking the matter seriously.

The spy agency issued the statement late on Sunday after allegations were aired on Australian television that a suspected Chinese espionage ring offered A$1 million ($679,000) for a Melbourne luxury car dealer, Bo “Nick” Zhao, to run for a seat in Australia’s federal parliament.

“The reporting on Nine’s Sixty Minutes contains allegations that Asio takes seriously,” Asio Director General of Security Mike Burgess said.

“Australians can be reassured that Asio was previously aware of matters that have been reported today, and has been actively investigating them,” he said.

No comment

Officials at China’s embassy in Canberra were not immediately available for comment.

Zhao told Asio about the alleged approach from another Melbourne businessman about a year ago, the Sydney Morning Herald said in a joint report with 60 Minutes and The Age newspaper, citing Zhao’s associates and Western security sources.

Zhao was found dead in March in a Melbourne motel room.

Burgess said he would not comment further and that the matter was under investigation. He said he was committed to protecting Australia’s democracy and sovereignty.