It was hailed as a great victory for Australian-Chinese relations on Albo’s watch… but now alarm bells are ringing about what really happened when the Socceroos went to Beijing
When the Socceroos played a long-awaited rematch against world champions Argentina in Beijing, it was hailed as a political victory for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and a sign that tensions in Australia and China were thawing.
But the opposition repeatedly raised the alarm about the promoter behind the tour, China Rainbow International, which had ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Football Australia sought advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs on the deal but was not instructed not to participate.
It can now be revealed that DFAT was aware of China Rainbow’s connection to United Front – a group of organizations working to improve the Chinese Communist Party’s legitimacy and influence abroad.
The department did not inform Football Australia and the event went ahead as planned.
Opposition Foreign Office spokesperson Claire Chandler said it was surprising that DFAT had not passed on this crucial knowledge to Football Australia.
When the Socceroos staged a much-anticipated rematch with world champions Argentina in Beijing, it was hailed as a political victory for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and a sign that tensions in Australia and China were thawing.
“It is extraordinary that an entity controlled by the Chinese government’s United Front apparatus, with a documented history of defense and military dealings, could pose as a sports promoter,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
“(They were able) to gain access to senior officials and have an organization like Football Australia launch their event as a diplomatic initiative supported by the Chinese and Australian governments.”
During the February 16 Senate estimates hearing, Ms Chandler questioned a department spokesperson about DFAT’s knowledge of China Rainbow.
He said: ‘You are right, the embassy became aware of China Rainbow’s connections with other companies on May 24.
“But it was not our place to concern ourselves with the commercial affairs of Football Australia.”
Daily Mail Australia approached Football Australia to confirm whether this knowledge would have made a difference in the decision to continue with the game.
Now it can be revealed that DFAT (pictured, Foreign Minister Penny Wong) was aware of tour operator China Rainbow’s connection to United Front – a group of organizations working to improve the legitimacy and influence of the Chinese Communist Party in Abroad
The game was touted to receive government support (photo, Anthony Albanese)
DFAT said the department did provide advice on ‘how to assist with the protocol, and with passports and visas and travel to the match itself’.
Senator Chandler noted that in the days leading up to her first public questioning in June 2023, China Rainbow continued to describe itself on its website as “controlled by the All-China Federation Returned Chinese Overseas.”
She told Daily Mail Australia: ‘All levels of government are constantly being warned of the increased risk of foreign interference.
“One of the main things they need to be alert to is organizations or people pretending to be someone they are not in order to gain access to government officials and influence diplomatic reporting.
‘What is even more alarming is the revelation that even when DFAT discovered China Rainbow’s real identity, they kept it secret from Football Australia and failed to answer my questions about their knowledge of China Rainbow on multiple occasions over many months.
Senator Chandler told Daily Mail Australia that ‘all levels of government are continually warned of the increased risk of foreign interference’
“There are serious questions to be answered about why DFAT kept this information secret, and why China Rainbow took down their website just hours after DFAT officials discovered these links.”
When the match was announced, it was praised in the media as a means to ‘help Albo strengthen Australia-China relations’.
“The competition has the support of the Australian government and is in line with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s ambitions to stabilize diplomatic ties with China,” the SMH said.
Football Australia boss James Johnson said government officials would be “at the match in some form” and repeatedly described China Rainbow as “promoters” of the match.
He also confirmed that they would receive an appearance fee to attend the match.
“Look, China is a global power and it is important for every government in the world, Australian or otherwise, to maintain good relations with China,” he said at the time.
“If you want a place at the world football table, these are the things you have to do.”