In an unprecedented move, Australian MPs and parliamentary staff have been told to switch off their phones or power down devices during a visit by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) third highest ranking leader amid hacking concerns.
An internal email from the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) set out strict instructions ahead of the Nov. 24 visit by Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
It even highlights the exact route his delegation will take through Australia’s Parliament to let MPs know if they fall within proximity of the group—amid concerns even Wi-Fi connections could be exploited.
“There may be intermittent disruptions to Wi-Fi access during the periods outlined above. Within the identified areas, internet connected devices including phones, tablets, and laptops should be powered down,” according to the guidance, published by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson on her Facebook.
“Where devices must be used, please ensure phones and iPads are updated with the latest software version and placed in lockdown mode, and laptops should have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched off.”
Hanson said it was unusual given the exact route of the CCP delegation was even highlighted.
“When the parliament is forced to issue a warning of this nature—he’s not a guest, he’s an imposter and a bonafide threat to our democracy,” Hanson wrote.
“Despite being asked not to distribute the email, I think all Australians have a right to know that the Chinese Communist Party cannot be trusted.”
Political leaders have, in recent times, been advised to use “burner phones” that can be disposed of afterwards when visiting China and Taiwan.
The Epoch Times contacted the Department of Parliamentary Services who said, “DPS often communicates with building occupants, including parliamentarians and their staff, to provide advice and keep them informed of activities occurring in and around Australian Parliament House.”
The heightened precautions come only weeks after ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess warned that Chinese state-backed hackers had pivoted from “espionage to sabotage,” targeting Australia’s most critical systems.
Burgess revealed the economy had lost $12.5 billion in 2023–24 due to espionage and foreign interference, naming hacking groups Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon behind attacks on telecommunications systems in both Australia and the United States.
Intelligence expert Paul Johnstone told The Epoch Times the guidance suggests Australian security personnel are concerned the CCP delegation may deploy “advanced intelligence-gathering tools.”
These include devices capable of “intercepting Wi-Fi signals, mimicking mobile towers, exploiting Bluetooth connections, or harvesting unsecured data simply through physical proximity.
“Such equipment is often small, silent, and able to extract sensitive information without requiring physical access to a device—raising questions about what may be carried by visiting officials, security personnel, or diplomatic staff,” said the former Australian Federal Police officer.
“Considering China manufactures some of the latest surveillance and espionage devices, often reversed engineered from technology they have stolen from a large number of Western countries, then it’s highly likely that these devices could easily be concealed in everyday items.”
Johnstone also said a political source told him the move was aimed at reducing “exposure during a period of heightened sensitivity.”
