• A Chinese national has been charged with "reckless foreign interference" in Australia.
• The woman allegedly spied on a Buddhist group in Canberra for a Chinese security agency.
• This is the third foreign interference charge since new laws were implemented in 2018.
• Australia's Foreign Minister emphasized the country's stance against foreign surveillance.
• China's government rejected allegations of interference and demanded the protection of its citizen's rights.

Australian police have charged a Chinese national with “reckless foreign interference” for allegedly gathering sensitive information on the Canberra branch of the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association. The woman, an Australian permanent resident, was purportedly working under the direction of China's Public Security Bureau to collect intelligence, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Assistant police commissioner Stephen Nutt indicated that this case is significant as it targets members of the Australian community, marking a departure from typical foreign interference charges that focus on migrant populations, according to Indiatimes and AA.

The individual was arrested during police raids across multiple Canberra properties, where they seized various electronic devices for forensic evaluation. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) initiated an investigation following a tip-off from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, underscoring the ongoing concerns about foreign espionage in Australia, as reported by Channel News Asia and AA.

Following the arrest, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated the government's firm stance against foreign surveillance and the importance of protecting Australian citizens from such actions. She emphasized, “We do not tolerate harassment, intimidation, surveillance of Australians,” advocating for a strong framework to deter these activities. This event marks the first time a Chinese national has been charged under the foreign interference laws established in 2018, according to Channel News Asia.

In response, China's Foreign Ministry has categorically denied the allegations, asserting that China promotes its relations with other nations based on mutual respect and non-interference. The ministry spokesperson highlighted that Beijing will closely monitor the situation and protect the legal rights and interests of its citizens, despite the severe allegations, as stated by AA.