China say self-confessed spy seeking asylum is fraudster

People walk past a building listed as the address of China Innovation Investment Limited in Hong Kong, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. Australia’s Treasurer on Saturday labeled detailed accusations of China infiltrating and disrupting democratic systems in Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan as “very disturbing.” A Chinese defector revealed he was part of the Hong Kong-based investment firm, which was a front for the Chinese government to conduct political and economic espionage in Hong Kong, including infiltrating universities and directing bashings and cyber attacks against dissidents.  China is refuting the explosive claims of a self-confessed spy seeking asylum in Australia, saying he is a convicted fraudster wanted by Shanghai police.

The Nine network newspapers reported that Chinese defector Wang “William” Liqiang has given Australia’s counterespionage agency inside intelligence on how Beijing conducts its interference operations abroad and revealed the identities of 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.

The Chinese Embassy hit back saying Wang was sentenced in October 2016 to prison for fraud and later left for Hong Kong on a fake Chinese passport.