Australian Border Force stands firm on Chinese claims of unfair visa cancellations for students at airports

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin was critical of actions undertaken by Australian Border Force.(China MOFA)

The Australian Border Force has reiterated it can and will cancel visas for those who provide false information, after China lodged a diplomatic protest over the treatment of a Chinese student at Sydney airport.

China’s government made “solemn representations” to the Australian government over what it says was a recent case of a Chinese student arriving in Sydney only to be interrogated, searched and ultimately have their visa cancelled.

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Australian border force staff accused the student of failing to disclose previous military training and proceeded to cancel the visa.

Beijing claims the officers at Sydney Airport mistook standard military-style drills that all Chinese university students undertake at the outset of their first year on campus for actual military links.

Such exercises vary in length from between two to four weeks and usually involve students in army-style uniforms taking part in marching exercises and other drills.

“We urge Australia to stop this action which harms others without benefiting itself,” he said.

Chinese government mouthpiece China Daily earlier published an article claiming a second student had a similar experience a month prior when trying to enter Australia.

In both cases, Chinese authorities provided no specific details on the date, age or gender of the students involved.

The Australian Border Force declined to comment on individual cases, but defended the general cancellation of visas at the border.

“The travelling public should be aware that the Australian Border Force can and does cancel visas at the border if a traveller has provided false information,” read a statement.

“We are committed to facilitating the entry of legitimate visa holders into Australia, but will not hesitate to use the powers we have to protect Australia’s national interests when required,” the statement said.

China’s diplomatic complaint isn’t the first time Beijing has raised concerns about Australia’s treatment of Chinese students.

In the past two years China’s Ministry of Education has issued two safety warnings for Chinese students in Australia, including one citing “successive vicious incidents of overseas students being attacked in many places in Australia” and another warning of more general risks of travel during the pandemic.

The Australian Border Force has reiterated it can and will cancel visas for those who provide false information, after China lodged a diplomatic protest over the treatment of a Chinese student at Sydney airport.

China’s government made “solemn representations” to the Australian government over what it says was a recent case of a Chinese student arriving in Sydney only to be interrogated, searched and ultimately have their visa cancelled.

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Australian border force staff accused the student of failing to disclose previous military training and proceeded to cancel the visa.

Beijing claims the officers at Sydney Airport mistook standard military-style drills that all Chinese university students undertake at the outset of their first year on campus for actual military links.

Such exercises vary in length from between two to four weeks and usually involve students in army-style uniforms taking part in marching exercises and other drills.

“We urge Australia to stop this action which harms others without benefiting itself,” he said.

Chinese government mouthpiece China Daily earlier published an article claiming a second student had a similar experience a month prior when trying to enter Australia.

In both cases, Chinese authorities provided no specific details on the date, age or gender of the students involved.

The Australian Border Force declined to comment on individual cases, but defended the general cancellation of visas at the border.

“The travelling public should be aware that the Australian Border Force can and does cancel visas at the border if a traveller has provided false information,” read a statement.

“We are committed to facilitating the entry of legitimate visa holders into Australia, but will not hesitate to use the powers we have to protect Australia’s national interests when required,” the statement said.

China’s diplomatic complaint isn’t the first time Beijing has raised concerns about Australia’s treatment of Chinese students.

In the past two years China’s Ministry of Education has issued two safety warnings for Chinese students in Australia, including one citing “successive vicious incidents of overseas students being attacked in many places in Australia” and another warning of more general risks of travel during the pandemic.

ABC