China labels spy claims slanderous

China says claims made by diplomat Chen Yonglin, who is seeking to defect in Australia, are slanderous and insists he will be treated fairly if returned to Beijing.

Mr Chen, formerly the first secretary at the Chinese consulate-general in Sydney, has been in hiding since May 26 saying he fears persecution if forced to return to China.

The diplomat says he does not support his Government's repression of pro-democracy activists, members of the Falun Gong meditation group and other dissidents.

He claims he has details of up to 1,000 Chinese spies operating in Australia who kidnapped individuals and repatriated them to China.

"The rumours spread by Chen Yonglin are total slander and hopefully you will not take it in easily," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

"These rumours are detrimental to China-Australian relations."

Appropriate

Defence Minister Robert Hill says Mr Chen's case has not been raised with him during his current visit to China.

Speaking in Beijing, Senator Hill was playing down the implications of the Chen case.

"We don't comment on intelligence matters," he said.

"I think the fact the issue hasn't been raised with me in China indicates that the Chinese side believes Australia is dealing with the issue in an appropriate way."

Australian authorities are still assessing Mr Chen's refugee claim.

Isolated incident

Mr Liu says Mr Chen will be treated according to law if repatriated to China.

"China is a country ruled by law. Any question will be handled according to its laws," he said.

He added: "I think this is only an isolated incident that will not have a negative effect on China-Australian relations."

On Mr Chen's defence of the Falun Gong, which once claimed millions of followers in mainland China but has been outlawed as an "evil cult" since 1999, Mr Liu said countries should be aware of the threat it posed.

"Regarding the essence and the erroneous propositions of the Falun Gong, we hope that relevant countries and people will have a clear understanding which will be good for the social stability and health of the respective countries and societies," he said.

"We also want to remind the relevant countries to clearly see the true nature of Falun Gong and not be deceived."