Canem Malum,

There are millions of unrelated Chinese with the same lineage (family) name.

I think the connection between these two is a political one not a familial one.

To Mr Opinion-

You're most likely correct in your assertion that it's somewhat of a chance political association...

Gladys Liu's family apparently comes from Chaozhou but she was born in Hong Kong.

Chaozhou is located in the easternmost part of the Guangdong Province, north of the coastal Shantou City. It is situated north of the delta of the Han River, which flows throughout the city.

Huifeng 'Haha' Liu- couldn't find much on his birth place.

Canem Malum,

I never said the Gladys Liu - Huifeng "Haha" Liu connection was a "chance political association".

I think you need to ask the Liberal Party what's going on there if you are looking for answers.

Hi Paul

ASIO has learnt to its cost that it dare not directly point the finger at Politicians, especially Politicians of the Government in POWER.

The ensuing political and popular Blowback in the shape of Royal Commissions of Inquiry, putting ASIO in a bad light, isn't worth the cost.

AND

The Government Politicians who are secuity risks tend to move on virtually unscathed.
_____________________________

One need only point to the Combe-Ivanov Affair. This time of Labor in Power: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combe%E2%80%93Ivanov_affair

"In 1983 David Combe, lobbyist and former National Secretary of the Australian Labor Party (ALP),

was accused of compromising Australia's national security in dealings with a Soviet diplomat, Valery Ivanov.

The so-called Combe-Ivanov affair developed out of a trip Combe and his wife made to the USSR

in 1982, in the course of preparations for which they met and developed a relationship with Valery Ivanov

then the First Secretary at the Soviet Embassy in Canberra. Soon after the formation of the Hawke

government in March 1983, ASIO raised concerns that Combe, still closely aligned to the ALP

might be being compromised by a Soviet citizen with KGB links. Ivanov was expelled from Australia

on 22 April 1983 by Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Ministers were also directed not to use

Combe's lobbying services, although the reason for this was not made known to them at the time.

On 17 May Justice Robert Hope was [Royal Commissioned] to investigate the affair but also

to review the general progress of the intelligence agencies...

[and here's the kicker] "Mick Young returned to the Cabinet in January 1984.

Combe was later appointed Australian Trade Commissioner to Canada and Hong Kong."
____________________________

Its up to Prime Minister Morrison to question and apply real penalties, if warranted, to Liberal Politicians in this 2021 affair.

Dear Pete,

I read an interesting article by James Laurenceson
Director of Australia China Relations Institute,
( ACRI) University of Technology, Sydney, (2 days ago).

Prof. Laurenceson claims that "The fundamental driver
of China's hostility in 2020 stems from its assessment
that Australia's leaders have reneged on earlier
commitments to never direct the country's security
alliance with the US against China".

Prof Laurenceson says that "A competition rather then
cooperation has become the dominant
frame through which both Beijing and Washington view
their bilateral relationship, each is increasingly sensitive
to evidence that other countries in the Asia-Pacific region
are supporting their opponent".

It's a difficult position for our PM. He's got to try to
find out how to manoeuvre between the US and China in the
future.

As Laurenceson tells us in the title of his article:

"China enters 2021, a stronger more influential power and
Australia may feel the squeeze even more."

Foxy,

He is an economist (only).

He does not hold qualifications in history, sociology or anthropology which makes me a bit cautious that his arguments are biased towards understanding the situation in terms of economics only.

But I would agree that China is being aggressive towards Australia because Australia is aligned with others in thwarting Chinese expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region.

I have been saying for a long time that the big decisions that will affect Australia will be made behind closed doors in Beijing and now I can say I TOLD YOU SO.