The Epoch Times: Diplomatic Defector from Australia to Testify in US Congressional Sub-Committee

By John Allen

The Epoch Times

Chen Yonglin at a Sydney media conference and forum with the Chinese Community on Sunday 10 July. Ken Ng/The Epoch Times

Republican Henry Hyde, the Chairman of the US congressional sub-committee on global human rights, has invited Chinese defector, Mr. Chen Yonglin, a former 1st Secretary at the Sydney Chinese Consulate, to testify before the Committee about Chinese spy networks and how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) treats Falun Gong practitioners.

The sub-committee is to examine human rights abuses by the Chinese Government against Falun Gong practitioners.

Speaking at Sydney Airport on Tuesday, as he was about to fly to Washington, Mr. Chen said, "My purpose of this trip is to tell the American people about the Chinese Communist Party, how the CCP rules the Chinese people, and what has happened in China. I want to draw the attention of the American people [to the fact] that there are a great number of Chinese people [who] are still under the persecution of the CCP."

Mr. Chen is also willing to tell his story to others within the US Government, including intelligence officials. "I look forward to meeting some US officials if I have time or they are willing to meet with me."

A spokesperson for Australian Falun Gong practitioners, Geoff Gregory, said today, "We welcome the US congressional sub-committee inquiry, and hope that Mr. Chen is able to provide information about the genocide of Falun Gong practitioners by the CCP, and the persecution of overseas Falun Gong practitioners by Chinese Embassies and Consulates. We note the huge difference in response to these appalling human rights abuses between the United States and Australian governments. The Australian government plays down the Chinese abuse of human rights and has treated Mr. Chen's defection as an embarrassment."

Mr. Chen is not entitled to an Australian passport, but it is understood that the Government has given him an identity document to allow him to travel overseas.

Mr. Chen abandoned his post as First Secretary of the Sydney Chinese Consulate-General in late May and attempted to defect to Australia.

He said there is a network of 1,000 Chinese spies operating in Australia and he fears for his life if he were forced to return to China.

A second defector and former 610 officer, Hao Fengjun, has backed Mr. Chen's claims of spying within Australia. Other Chinese defectors in Canada and Belgium have also backed Mr. Chen's assertions.

Mr. Chen was granted a permanent protection visa two weeks ago. The Australian government at first refused him protection and informed the Chinese Consulate in Sydney that he was attempting to defect.

This forced Mr. Chen and his wife and 6-year-old daughter to go into hiding until public pressure forced the Australian government to issue him a permanent protection visa.

Mr. Chen also reiterated claims that China wanted to drive a wedge between Australia and the United States.

Source: http://theepochtimes.com/news/5-7-19/30449.html

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