Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess criticized China’s security and intelligence services, accusing them of “theft of intellectual property and interference in the country’s political system.”
At an event organized by the Lowy Institute in Sydney, New South Wales, he assessed China’s intelligence activities.
Burgess argued that when they “criticize” China on various issues or warn the country, Beijing authorities “express dissatisfaction.” “We all spy on each other, but we don’t engage in mass theft of intellectual property. We don’t interfere in the political system or engage in high-risk activities,” he said, criticizing China’s security and intelligence services.
“If they are smart, as they should be, they will understand Western liberal democracy, the role of security services and their legal status. We work for the current government, but our security assessments and actions are independent,” he added. Burgess said China “doesn’t understand” the system: “If they want to complain about ASIO doing its job and informing the people we protect of threats, including from China, when necessary, that won’t stop us.”