The nationalistic paper also posted pictures of items which it said had
been seized, including cash, a compass and a map of Shanghai.
Australian government officials ridiculed the claims in private, while Prime
Minister Scott Morrison dismissed questions about the article by saying:
“I wouldn’t be relying on Chinese state media for your sources.”
But late yesterday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian threw
the Government’s weight behind the Global Times story, saying there was
“irrefutable evidence” of Australian spying in China.
“The Five Eyes intelligence alliance has long engaged in cyber espionage, spying and surveillance on foreign governments, companies and
individuals. This is not a secret to anyone,” he said.
