News Articles

Chinese businessman denies reported justification for Australian visa cancellation

Source: Reuters, 13/02/2019


Huang Xiangmo is unable to return to Australia after the government
rejected his application for citizenship and revoked his visa while
he was overseas, newspaper reports said this week.
Australian media, citing unidentified sources, said Huang was denied
residency after intelligence agencies concluded he could undertake
`acts of foreign interference` and that he was unfit for residency.
Huang rejected that assessment and criticised Australia in his first
public comments since the visa cancellation was revealed.
`It is profoundly disappointing to be treated in such a grotesquely
unfair manner. The decision to cancel my visa was based on unfounded
speculations that are prejudiced and groundless,` Huang told the
Australian Financial Review.
`There are many Australian companies in China, aren`t they more
likely to be susceptible to potential manipulation by the Chinese
government?` he said.
Representatives for Australia`s Department of Home Affairs and a
spokeswoman for Minister for Immigration David Coleman did not
respond immediately to requests for comment.
Huang`s expulsion comes as Australia and China seek to repair ties
that have been strained since 2017, when Canberra accused Beijing of
meddling in its domestic affairs. China denies the accusation.
Huang emerged as one of Australia`s biggest political donors soon
after he began living in Australia. He rose to prominence after an
influential opposition lawmaker was forced to resign in 2017, when
allegations emerged that he was linked to Chinese-aligned interests.
The lawmaker, Sam Dastyari, sought to encourage a senior politician
not to meet a Chinese pro-democracy activist opposed to Beijing`s
rule in Hong Kong in 2015.
Dastyari was also recorded warning Huang that his phone may be
tapped.
Huang stopped political donations after that incident but later
expanded his business interests in Australia. He paid nearly A$1
billion ($715 million) in 2018 for two Australian projects owned by
Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group.


Search
South Africa Immigration Company