Face of Nation : Ms Liu, who made history after becoming the first Chinese-Australian woman to gain a seat in the Lower House, was appointed honorary chairman of a Hong Kong-based organisation that experts say is affiliated with China’s efforts to exert influence on foreign governments and expatriate Chinese.
Liberal Party elder Bruce Atkinson, a Victorian MP and former Upper House President, has similarly been connected to the same organisation — World Trade United Foundation (WTUF) — for some years.
Mr Atkinson said he played no active role in the organisation and denied he had in any way been a vehicle of Chinese influence in Australian politics. “As a non-government organisation with consultative status to the United Nations, WTUF has a 18-year history of public diplomacy,” a spokesman said.
WTUF promotes itself as dedicated to fostering international free trade, but observers in Hong Kong say there is little evidence of any trade-related activities by the organisation. Instead, they say, its links to the Chinese Government and Communist Party are clear.
A large number of its office-holders and honorary chairmen hold positions in government bodies and party organs that play a lead role in directing United Front’s activities.
Chinese observers have told the ABC this is a sure sign the foundation is approved by Beijing and the party, and a signature of many organisations involved in China’s United Front activities. There has been growing concern in Australia about some organisations seen to be linked to United Front.
