When the Socceroos earned 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 between Australia and China were thawing.
But the opposition has raised the alarm over tour promoter China Rainbow International’s links to the Chinese Communist Party.
Football Australia sought guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs on the deal but was not instructed against participating.
Now, it can be revealed that DFAT was aware of China Rainbow’s connection to the United Front, a group of organizations working to enhance the legitimacy and influence of the Chinese Communist Party abroad.
The department did not inform Football Australia and the event went ahead as planned.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Claire Chandler said it was surprising DFAT did not pass this knowledge on to Football Australia.
When the Socceroos earned 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 between Australia and China were thawing.
“It is extraordinary that an entity controlled by the United Front apparatus of the Chinese government, with a documented history of military and defense agreements, can pose as a sports promoter,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“(They were) able to gain access to senior officials and get an organization like Football Australia to host their event as a diplomatic initiative supported by the Chinese and Australian governments.”
At the Senate Estimates hearing on February 16, Ms Chandler questioned a department spokesperson about DFAT’s knowledge of China Rainbow.
He said: ‘You are right, the embassy learned on May 24 of China Rainbow’s connections with other companies.
“But it wasn’t our place to get involved in Football Australia’s commercial affairs.”
Daily Mail Australia approached Football Australia to confirm whether this knowledge would have made a difference to their decision to continue with the game.
It can now be revealed that DFAT (pictured Foreign Secretary Penny Wong) was aware of tourism promoter China Rainbow’s connection to the United Front, a group of organizations working to enhance the legitimacy and influence of the Chinese Communist Party abroad.
The game was touted to have government support (pictured, Anthony Albanese)
DFAT said the department did, however, provide advice on “how to assist with protocol, passports, visas and travel to the match”.
Senator Chandler noted that in the days before her initial public questioning in June 2023, China Rainbow was still described on its website as “controlled by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.”
She told Daily Mail Australia: ‘All levels of government are constantly warned about the increased risk of foreign interference.
‘One of the most important things they are supposed to be alert for are organizations or people pretending to be someone they are not to gain access to government officials and influence diplomatic messages.
“What is even more alarming is the revelation that even when DFAT discovered China Rainbow’s true identity, they kept it a secret from Football Australia and failed on multiple occasions over many months to answer my questions about their knowledge of China Rainbow.
Senator Chandler told Daily Mail Australia that “all levels of government are constantly warned about the increased risk of foreign interference.”
“There are serious questions to answer about why DFAT kept this information secret and why China Rainbow took its website offline just hours after DFAT officials discovered these links.”
The moment the match was announced, it was praised. in the media as a means to “help Albo boost relations between Australia and China.”
“The party is supported by the Australian government and fits with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s ambitions to stabilize diplomatic relations with China,” the SMH said.
Football Australia boss James Johnson said there would be government officials “in the game in some capacity”, and repeatedly described China Rainbow as “promoters” of the match.
He also confirmed that they would receive a fee for attending the match.
“Look, China is a world power and it is in the interest of any government in the world, Australia or any other country, to foster good relations with China,” he said at the time.
“If you want a seat on the world table football, these are the things you have to do.”