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https://theconversation.com/foreign-interference-can-be-hidden-in-plain-sight-heres-how-countries-use-sharp-power-in-australia-262709>
"Last week, Australian authorities arrested a woman for foreign interference.
The Chinese citizen and Canberra resident is just the third person ever charged
under our foreign interference laws.
According to the Australian Federal Police, she was allegedly gathering
information on, and may be involved in efforts to infiltrate, the Guan Yin
Citta Buddhist association. The group is banned in China, where the government
regards it as a dangerous cult.
The story might seem unimportant. After all, it doesn’t involve defence secrets
or political leaders, but a small, relatively obscure community.
But this is exactly why it matters. The case shows the Chinese Communist Party
is deeply interested in Australia’s Chinese diaspora communities. It’s willing
to disregard Australian law to police and manipulate them in ways that serve
Beijing’s interests.
It also shows how authoritarian regimes use “sharp power”, or covert,
manipulative influence, to do more than just spy. They also surveil, intimidate
and control communities far beyond their borders."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
