A Chinese woman, who is also a permanent resident of Australia, faced charges of reckless foreign interference in the ACT Magistrates’ Court on March 12, 2023. The allegations suggest that she covertly gathered information on the **Guan Yin Citta**, a Buddhist association known for its unconventional beliefs, including the claim that former Australian Prime Minister **Kevin Rudd** was Chinese in a past life.
The charges stem from an investigation launched by the **Australian Federal Police** (AFP) after receiving intelligence from the **Australian Security Intelligence Organisation** (ASIO). The police stated that the woman allegedly worked under the direction of China’s Public Security Bureau to support the Chinese government’s intelligence objectives.
Unconventional Beliefs and Foreign Interference Allegations
The Guan Yin Citta group, which operates out of an office in Canberra, promotes beliefs that some consider fringe. Its late leader, **Master Jun Hong Lu**, who passed away in 2021, claimed to provide insights into individuals’ past, present, and future through a practice known as “totem reading.” In one of his writings, Lu humorously noted his curiosity about Rudd’s fluency in Mandarin and concluded that Rudd had been Chinese in a past life.
The group’s beliefs include the notion that reciting specific Buddhist verses can lead to miraculous outcomes, such as improved health or job opportunities. One follower recounted how their health improved after following Lu’s guidance, claiming, “I released 2000 fishes, diligently recited Buddhist sutras prescribed by Master Lu, and vowed to adopt a vegetarian diet for more than 20 days a month.”
In China, religious groups like Guan Yin Citta face strict government scrutiny. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a long history of persecuting organizations that do not fall under its control, regarding them as potential threats to national security. **John Fitzgerald**, an emeritus professor at Swinburne University, noted that the party aims to maintain total control over all organizations within its borders.
International Implications of Religious Persecution
The case highlights the lengths to which the CCP will go to suppress dissent, even targeting groups operating outside of China. **Feng Chongyi**, an associate professor specializing in Chinese studies at the University of Technology Sydney, pointed out that dissident groups, including religious organizations like Falun Gong, are often prime targets for state action. He noted, “Australians should be wary of the lengths to which China would go to quash dissent.”
As investigations continue, the AFP indicated that more individuals may face charges related to this case. The woman charged with reckless foreign interference could potentially face a maximum prison term of **15 years**. While the court has issued a suppression order restricting the release of certain details, the investigation reportedly did not involve the Chinese embassy.
The Guan Yin Citta organization has not publicly commented on the allegations, nor has the Chinese embassy responded to inquiries regarding the case. The unfolding events will likely raise further questions about the intersection of religion, national security, and foreign interference in Australia.
