Taiwan’s man in NSW lashes out at Beijing’s criticism of The Daily Telegraph

Taiwan’s de facto consulate says Beijing’s criticism of the Tele is reminiscent of China’s reputation for suppressing press freedom in Hong Kong.

A top Taiwanese diplomat has lashed out at Beijing over “intimidatory” emails sent to 11 MPs, and accused the Chinese government in NSW of “bullying the press” after officials in NSW turned their ire on The Daily Telegraph.

It follows The Telegraph’s revelations that the Chinese Consulate-General in NSW sent unsolicited emails to MPs who visited a pro-Taiwan event, urging them to accept Beijing’s view that “Taiwan is a province of China”.

In a statement, Director-General of Taipei’s Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney, David Cheng-Wei Wu, said the email “reflects the essence of the PRC’s authoritarian expansionism”.

“We regret that Beijing’s dictatorship intimidated Australian democratically elected MPs and suppressed press freedom,” Mr Wu said.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office serves as a de facto consulate in NSW.

“Australia is a free and democratic country where everyone enjoys fully protected legal freedoms to go anywhere and meet anyone they want, without interference or bullying from others, Mr Wu said.

“This episode also reminds us of the PRC’s notorious reputation for suppressing press freedom in Hong Kong. Now, Beijing’s intervention has reached Australia. The Daily Telegraph’s case is another vivid example of bullying the press in a coercive manner,” he said.

Eleven politicians attended an event on 20 May, to celebrate the inauguration of Taiwan's new President. Four days later, they all received a letter from the Chinese Consulate in Sydney criticising their attendance. Picture: Supplied

The Coalition’s assistant Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Claire Chandler called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to raise the matter with Chinese Premier Li Qiang when he visits Australia.

“There’s a long list of issues the Prime Minister should be personally raising with him, and this is one of them,” she said.

“All Australians ... should be very clear-eyed about the Chinese government’s aggressive behaviour and intentions.”

The Chinese Consulate-General took aim at the Tele on Monday for revealing it had tried to bully Australian politicians over attending an event celebrating the inauguration of the new Taiwan president.

The email sent to politicians. Picture: Supplied

“This Consulate-General regrets to see that your news report merely focuses on the reactions of relevant MPs ... The report also lacks a comprehensive and objective view of the historical background and legal facts of the Taiwan question, and misinterprets the original intention of this Consulate-General in sending the email.”

“It is hoped that in the future you can conduct news reporting with a professional, objective, fair and responsible attitude and principle.”

It comes as Australian journalist Cheng Lei said she is “deeply concerned” about tensions over Taiwan, warning that the issue could “spill over into wider conflict”.

The journalist, who was detained by Chinese authorities for three years before her release last year, said she understands why Beijing engages in the kinds of emails revealed by the Telegraph.

Australian journalist Cheng Lei said she was “deeply concerned” about tensions in Taiwan, worried they could “spill over into wider conflict”. Picture: NCA NewsWire

However, she asked whether Beijing realises “how this looks to a democratic country”.

“Does this mean our Australian diplomats should write to Chinese politicians and complain about their engagements with Australian politicians (or) in (the) Pacific Islands?”

Ms Cheng said anyone interested in the Taiwan issue should read up on the matter “to understand what’s at stake”.

She also encouraged people to “go to Taiwan and see what it’s like, (and) to speak to mainlanders and to Taiwanese people about their thoughts”.

“Judging simply from news headlines is lazy and dangerous,” she said.

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