Chinese police argue a man claiming political asylum in Australia as a former Chinese spy is a convicted fraudster.
Nine newspapers revealed on Saturday that Wang "William" Liqiang has provided Australia's counter-espionage agency ASIO with details of how China's senior military intelligence officers fund and conduct political interference operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia.
China has moved quickly to attack his credibility, labelling him a liar and fraudster.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Australia said the 26-year-old from Fujian Province is wanted for allegedly running a fake car importation scam and has previously been convicted of fraud.
Shanghai police also accused Mr Wang of using fake identification documents to get out of China, the statement added.
Wang "William" Liqiang speaks to 60 Minutes. Source: 60 Minutes
Mr Wang is at an undisclosed location in Sydney on a tourist visa, telling Nine he is seeking urgent protection from the Australian government, a plea he says he has made in multiple meetings with ASIO.
"I have personally been involved and participated in a series of espionage activities," Mr Wang said in a statement to ASIO in October, Nine said.
In further revelations reported on Sunday, Mr Wang claimed he has information about the kidnapping of five booksellers in Hong Kong.
Senior federal government minister Josh Frydenberg says the matter is in the hands of appropriate law enforcement agencies and declined to comment on individual cases.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says Wang Liqiang's case is a matter for law enforcement agencies. Source: AAP
"But I would say the government makes no apologies for the strong measures that we have taken to ensure that we have foreign interference laws in place, that we are resourcing our law enforcement intelligence agencies, like never before," he told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.
"We will always stand up for our national interests, whether it's on matters of foreign policy, foreign investment or other related issues."
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says the revelations were a concern and is seeking a briefing with the appropriate agencies next week.
"We need to make sure that Australia's national sovereignty is protected," Mr Albanese told reporters in Geelong on Saturday.
He said the decision to offer asylum will be up to the government but is sympathetic to his request.
"We know that he has outlined a range of activities which clearly put him in a circumstance whereby it's a legitimate claim for asylum," he said.
Former Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin, who defected to Australia in 2005, said Mr Wang was in grave danger.
Former Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin defected to Australia in 2005. Source: AAP
"He'd better move to America later," he tweeted. "He is not safe in Australia. Since he revealed names and IDs of operatives and kidnappings, he may be executed."
He said it would be extremely difficult to hide his family from "a powerful surveillance state like China."
"China collects all data of Wechat users, listens to Apple cellphones and hacks PCs."
