Australia Revokes Visa of Notable Chinese Businessman: Report by Reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia has canceled the visa of a well-known Chinese businessman and political donor linked to controversy over promoting Chinese interests, according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Huang Xiangmo is currently unable to return to his home in Sydney after the government denied his citizenship application and revoked his residence visa while he was abroad. The report did not specify the reasons for this decision but mentioned that the Ministry for Home Affairs described Huang as "unfit" for residency.

Officials from the ministry and a spokesperson for the Minister for Immigration declined to comment on the matter. When asked about Huang, Prime Minister Scott Morrison refrained from discussing what he termed a "sensitive matter," stating that the government acts according to the advice it receives.

Huang, who established the Chinese property development firm Yuhu, was reportedly traveling in Thailand last month, and his current location remains unclear.

This development occurs amid efforts by Australia and China to mend relations that have deteriorated since 2017, when Australia accused China of interfering in its domestic affairs—a claim that China has denied. Despite the denials, Australia has implemented strict laws aimed at curtailing foreign influence, measures widely perceived as targeting China.

According to unnamed sources cited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Huang will not be permitted to re-enter Australia.

Huang gained notoriety after former opposition lawmaker Sam Dastyari resigned in 2017 following allegations of connections to Chinese-aligned interests. Dastyari had come under scrutiny for advising a senior politician against meeting a pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong and for expressing concerns to Huang about possible surveillance.

Later inquiries surfaced concerning financial contributions made by Huang. In response, Morrison pointed to the legislation prohibiting foreign donations, stating that the government’s actions regarding Huang were informed by current information but did not elaborate further.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne also avoided commenting on specific details of Huang’s case, asserting that she did not anticipate it becoming a topic of bilateral discussions with China. "We have a good relationship based on mutual respect," she remarked.

In 2018, it was reported that Huang’s company Yuhu acquired two Australian projects from the Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group for nearly A$1 billion ($715 million).