Liberal MP Jing Lee defends connection with Chinese Government-backed Xinjiang Association of SA
Liberal MP Jing Lee has been questioned over her links to a Chinese Government-backed organisation. But she says it’s absurd to suggest she shares all the views of its members.
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Liberal MP Jing Lee has defended her involvement with a Beijing-backed organisation that denies there is any persecution of China’s Uighur ethnic minority.
Ms Lee is one of the frontrunners to become SA’s Upper House president.
She is facing questions over her involvement with Xinjiang Association of SA – which has alleged links to the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Government.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick has called for Premier Steven Marshall to review Ms Lee’s connections.
He also wants Mr Marshall to request Ms Lee quit her role as ambassador for the Confucius Institute at Adelaide University – a position she has held for 10 years.
“It is disturbing that Ms Lee has closely associated herself with Chinese United Front organisations that deny the reality of human-rights abuse in China, especially the persecution of the Uighur people,” Senator Patrick said.
“The Federal Attorney-General’s Department is now activity seeking the registration of Confucius institutes under Australia’s Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme.
“It would be prudent for the Premier to require Ms Lee to withdraw from her association with the institute.”
East Turkistan Australian Association president Nurmuhammad Majid, who represents the Uighur community in Adelaide, raised concerns about the Xinjiang Association of SA and its alleged links to United Front.
“We want our community members’ safety to be assured and protected by the state and the federal governments,” he said.
Ms Lee’s 2017 support of a controversial Chinese government infrastructure investment program – known as the Belt and Road Initiative – has also raised questions. But Ms Lee said she was a proud Australian citizen focused on building relationships with people from all communities.
“I have attended hundreds of multicultural functions … and to suggest that I share the political views of the people who make up all those organisations is absurd,” Ms Lee said.
Mr Marshall has backed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s push for new powers that would allow reviews of arrangements between universities, states, councils and foreign governments.
“We certainly haven’t contemplated a Belt and Road Initiative agreement here … but we do have a good working relationship with China,” Mr Marshall said.