Chinese Businessman Denies Reported Justification for Australian Visa Cancellation, Reuters Reports

SYDNEY (Reuters) – A well-known Chinese businessman and political donor, previously involved in a controversy surrounding the promotion of Chinese interests, stated on Friday that Australia’s decision to revoke his visa was based solely on speculation.

Huang Xiangmo is currently unable to return to Australia after the government rejected his citizenship application and revoked his visa while he was abroad, according to recent reports.

Australian media, citing unnamed sources, reported that Huang was denied residency after intelligence agencies concluded that he could engage in "acts of foreign interference" and deemed him unfit for residency.

In his first public comments since the visa cancellation, Huang rejected this assessment and criticized Australia. “It is profoundly disappointing to be treated in such a grotesquely unfair manner. The decision to cancel my visa was based on unfounded speculations that are prejudiced and groundless,” he told a local publication. He further questioned, “There are many Australian companies in China; aren’t they more likely to be susceptible to potential manipulation by the Chinese government?"

Requests for comment from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs and Immigration Minister David Coleman’s office went unanswered.

Huang’s visa cancellation occurs amid efforts to mend the strained relationship between Australia and China, which has been tense since 2017 when Australia accused China of interfering in its domestic affairs—an allegation that China denies.

Huang became one of the largest political donors in Australia soon after relocating there. His prominence rose following the resignation of an influential opposition lawmaker in 2017, who faced allegations of connections to Chinese-aligned interests. This lawmaker, Sam Dastyari, had attempted to persuade a senior politician against meeting a Chinese pro-democracy activist in 2015 and was recorded warning Huang that his phone might be tapped.

After the incident, Huang halted his political donations but went on to expand his business ventures in Australia, purchasing two Australian projects from the Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group for nearly A$1 billion ($715 million) in 2018.