Australian Jury Delivers First-Ever Guilty Verdict on Foreign Interference for Beijing

Duong was found to have cultivated a relationship with an MP hoping he would be an advocate for pro-Beijing policies.

Former Liberal Party candidate Di Sanh Duong leaves the County Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 20, 2023. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

A Melbourne-based Asian community leader with links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been found guilty in a Victorian Court of “preparing for or planning foreign interference.” The offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail.

Businessman Di Sanh “Sunny” Duong, who also goes by the Chinese name of Yang Yisheng, 68, faced a month-long jury trial in Melbourne’s County Court.