An alleged covert operation involving Chinese nationals accused of attempting to infiltrate a religious organisation in Australia has been described in court documents as having “a bit of a spy thriller feel to it.”
Three Chinese nationals have been charged in the Australian Capital Territory with reckless foreign interference, following allegations they were directed by officials in Beijing to infiltrate the Canberra-based Buddhist association Guan Yin Citta, a group banned in China.
A 37-year-old Chinese woman, using the male pseudonym “Thomas Tyler,” was charged in 2025. Suri Zheng, 31, and a 25-year-old identified by the pseudonym “Joseph Vance,” were charged with the same offence in February. All three remain on bail, and Tyler has pleaded not guilty.
Police documents tendered to the ACT Magistrates Court allege that between 2022 and 2025, Tyler exchanged messages with her two co-accused and a foreign official linked to the Chinese Communist Party’s Public Security Bureau. Tyler’s husband is also named in court documents as an employee of the bureau.
According to translated WeChat messages presented to the court, the foreign official urged Tyler to “infiltrate the enemy’s inner circle,” referring to her as his “niece” throughout the exchanges.
“You can slip in, climb as high as you can,” the official allegedly wrote. Tyler responded, “Are you serious?” before adding, “I’ll give it a proper go and see if I can sneak in.”
The official replied: “Doesn’t this have a bit of a spy thriller feel to it. First, maintain confidentiality. Second, inform me immediately if anything arises.” He further stated that if she “climb[s] high enough,” she would be “commended directly by the leaders in Beijing.”
Court documents allege Tyler subsequently directed Vance to research the Buddhist association, including scraping data from its website, local media reports and social media posts, focusing on its organisational structure and activities.
Information about the organisation and its late leader, Junhong Lu, was reportedly sourced from social media and records held by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
The foreign official also allegedly instructed Tyler to contact the organisation’s branches in Sydney and Melbourne to inquire about their activities. Tyler is said to have forwarded the request to Zheng, suggesting she go “undercover.”
“Just say, ‘[I] want to join to learn about this practice,’” Tyler allegedly wrote.
A witness statement provided to police in October 2025 claims the individual was asked by Tyler and Zheng to covertly gather information about Guan Yin Citta.
In response to the allegations, China’s Foreign Ministry said it opposes the disruption of normal exchanges between China and other countries “under the pretext of ‘foreign interference,’” according to spokesman Lin Jian.
The matter remains before the courts.
