The NSW Labor MP at the centre of a Sydney Morning Herald investigation has addressed the explosive claims about him, telling SBS Mandarin he was targeted because of his access to Labor Party politicians.
The SMH reported that Chinese government intelligence operatives had cultivated Ernest Wong in both Australia and China, according to information gathered by Australian security agencies.
“For years, even [when] I visited China, no Chinese officials or diplomats in Australia, asked me to do anything for them,” Mr Wong said.
The former mayor of Burwood Council said his all meetings with Chinese officials had been no different from the ones he had with any other politician.
“Since I was the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Burwood, then become a state level politician, all my meetings with Chinese officials are in public," he said.
“It is not fair for Australian-Chinese."
Speaking to SBS Mandarin, Mr Wong expressed the view that the foreign interference reforms had pointed an accusing finger at Australia's Chinese community and planted the seed of distrust.
The Australian Government, right wing politicians and the media had all contributed to a blurring of the boundaries around China as a nation, the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese people who lived in Australia.
“It is not fair for Australian-Chinese,” Mr Wong said, explaining that Chinese-Australians could put Australian values first and feel proud of their heritage and culture.
He also questioned the definition of foreign intervention and influence, asking why it was just the relationship being Australian and Chinese officials that was being scrutinised when maintaining good relations between leaders of a nation was integral to diplomacy.
“If countries would like to build up relations with others, people would like to build up relations with others, is it can be seen as intervened by foreign countries?" he said.
Mr Wong said everyone should be feel free to express views on political issues like the South China Sea conflict, while also adding: “If there is a lobbying group representing a foreign country, it should be registered.”
Source: AFP
Mr Wong said he is no longer the honorary advisor of Australian Council for the Peaceful Reunification of China.
The Australian Council for the Peaceful Reunification of China, also known as the ACPPRC, is a lobbying organisation which used to be led by the controversial Chinese political billionaire donor Huang Xiangmo.
“Since I was the honorary advisor, many politicians, no matter [if] they are Liberal or Labor or with other ethnic backgrounds, were their advisors,” he told SBS Mandarin.
He doesn’t feel the ACPPRC has a relationship with Chinese organisations and has no idea whether it should be registered as a foreign lobbying group, but added: “In the future, it will become a major target the Australian Government is focusing on”.
