Wang Liqiang

In this Chinese name, the family name is Wang.
Wang Liqiang
Traditional Chinese王立強
Simplified Chinese王立强
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Lìqiáng
Wu
Shanghainese
Romanization		Hhuaan3 Liq5 Jjian3
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingWong4 Lap6 Koeng4

Wang Liqiang (Chinese: 王立强), or William Wang, is a Chinese defector to Australia and self-proclaimed former spy. In November 2019, Wang sought political asylum in Australia, claiming to be a spy who was involved in the People's Republic of China's intervention in the affairs of Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan. The factual accuracy of his claims has been disputed, and some experts suggested he may be no more than a low-level operative.[1][2] China has claimed that Wang's allegations were "absurd" and that he is a "fraud".[3]

Wang's case drew worldwide attention, leading to an investigation in Taiwan. In November 2021, the years-long investigation concluded with no evidence to support Wang's claims, and individuals that he had accused of being accomplices or handlers were cleared of all national security charges.[4][5]

In January 2023, Wang was barred from living in Australia. His asylum visa application was also rejected after an Australian tribunal ruling found him guilty of having committed "serious fraud against an Australian citizen".[6] The tribunal expressed strong doubts of Wang's espionage claims given his past fraudulent activities.[7]

  1. ^ "Beijing 'spy' a bit player at best". The Australian. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  2. ^ Eftimiades, Nicholas (6 December 2019). "Wang Liqiang: Chinese Defector, Fraud or Both?". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  3. ^ Bachelard, Michael (28 November 2019). "China labels spying claims 'absurd', claims Wang Liqiang is a fraud". The Age. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  4. ^ "王立強爆向心夫婦涉共諜！扯出「韓國瑜總統後援會」22臉書 不起訴原因曝光". 蘋果新聞網. 12 November 2021.
  5. ^ "捲入「王立強」共諜案 中國創新投資主席向心夫婦不起訴". 中時新聞網. 12 November 2021.
  6. ^ "60 Minutes 'Chinese spy' Liqiang Wang refused asylum in Australia". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  7. ^ Ip, Cyril (10 January 2023). "Chinese 'spy' facing deportation from Australia over fraud claims". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 12 January 2023.