'It appears the same thing is happening in Beijing' amid Shanghai CCP revelations

With it being recently revealed a number of western consulates in Shanghai have all been employing CCP members hired through a government-run recruitment firm, it now appears “the same situation is happening in Beijing,” says Sharri Markson.

The Australian, British and American consulates in Shanghai have all been employing CCP members because they “have to” hire local Chinese nationals from one government-run recruitment firm, Ms Markson said.

“That firm - we found out on this database - has 12 communist party branches and has more than 249 members linked to it,” she told Sky News host Paul Murray.

On Tuesday, The Australian newspaper reported revelations ASIO was launching an investigation into the claims, which said CCP members had been working in Shanghai consulates for years.

The report revealed evidence was uncovered which showed CCP members working in up to 10 consulates in Shanghai in a range of positions – including as clerks, advisors and assistants.

The investigation followed the leaking of a dossier showing 1.95 million members of the Communist Party and their links to big business in China, which concerned some areas of Australia’s security intelligence agencies.

Ms Markson said it “looks like the same situation is happening in Beijing”.

She said it appears there’s another government-run recruitment company, which as recently as November was “placing senior staff in the consulate”.

“The question is, what information do these CCP members have access to?”

“Is it high level information, is it sensitive, or is DFAT completely across this and ensuring that locally engaged staff are kept away from the more sensitive areas in the consulate”.