Australia vows to 'monitor' Chinese consulate which has set 'alarm bells off' due to its size

The foreign affairs department is alert to concerns about a new Chinese consulate in Adelaide, which has raised eyebrows over its size and staffing levels.

South Australian Liberal senator Alex Antic told Senate estimates the consulate had caused angst among local residents.

‘There are, as we understand it, 12 foreign national staff working in what is a state of 1.7 million people with a significant defence project footprint and a significant Uighur population,’ he said on Thursday.

The foreign affairs department is alert to concerns about a new Chinese consulate in Adelaide, which has raised eyebrows over its size and staffing levels

South Australian Liberal senator Alex Antic told Senate estimates the consulate had caused angst among local residents

‘Does that not cause any alarm bells to ring?’

Conservative Liberals Eric Abetz and Concetta Fierravanti-Wells also quizzed Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials at the hearing.

DFAT secretary Frances Adamson said she fully understood the concerns of senators and residents.

‘We are alert to as a government, as an agency within the government, both our obligations under the Vienna Convention and to the points that each of you are making,’ she said.

‘This is a matter of, if you like, active consideration on our part.’

There are about 30,000 Chinese citizens in Adelaide but there has been speculation the consular presence could intimidate the Uighur population, which is Australia’s largest.

Ms Adamson said DFAT examined a country’s needs to service citizens when establishing consulates.

‘On the basis of that alone, yes it looks on the large size but it is not on its own a matter of concern,’ he said.

DFAT officer Ian McConville said Australia was obliged to accept applications for diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention. Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping

She described it as a ‘normal Chinese footprint’, but said if staff engaged in any behaviour contrary to Australia’s interests or their roles it would be a concern.

DFAT officer Ian McConville said Australia was obliged to accept applications for diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention.

He said Australia had a significantly larger cohort of staff in China than the reverse.

Meanwhile, consular officials continue to visit Australian citizens Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun in detention in China.

Ms Cheng, a TV anchor accused of leaking state secrets, was visited on Wednesday, while Mr Yang, a writer charged with spying, is due to be seen on Thursday.