It comes after the Albanese government expressed concern about anonymous “wanted” person letters delivered to Melbourne residents.
The letters offered a $200,000 reward for information about Melbourne-based lawyer and pro-democracy activist Kevin Yam.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused Australia of interfering with China’s internal affairs in response.
“Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs that brook no external interference,” China’s spokesperson told reporters.
“Australia blatantly interfered in Hong Kong’s rule of law. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it.
“We urge Australia to respect China’s sovereignty and rule of law in Hong Kong to foster good conditions and atmosphere.”
The bureaucrat’s blistering rebuke comes in direct response to the federal government’s concerns over the mysterious letters sent to Melbourne residents earlier this month.
The letters, which were mailed from Hong Kong, contained a photo of Mr Yam and labelled him a “wanted person”.
The letter further included details about his physical appearance and two locations that authorities believed to be linked to him.
The government immediately condemned the letters, calling them “deeply worrying” and “completely unacceptable”.
Research Professor at the China Research Centre of the University of Technology Anita Chan said while it was not clear who sent the letters, it was most likely a “scare tactic”.
“My guess is that it is a scare tactic for the Hong Kong diaspora around the world,” Ms Chan told Sky News.
“If it is the PRC-Hong Kong government, it does not make much sense since the Hong Kong police is not going to kidnap Kevin Yam to bring him back to Hong Kong.
“If it really intends to arrest him, it knows very well where he lives and where he works and so there is no need to solicit help from the public.”
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the letter was “deeply worrying” and “completely unacceptable”, and that Australia would contact Chinese and Hong Kong authorities over the matter.
“The Australian government will not tolerate surveillance, harassment or intimidation against individuals or family members here in Australia – this undermines our national sovereignty and the security and safety of Australians,” a spokesperson for Wong’s office said.
In the past, Hong Kong authorities offered a reward for Mr Yam’s capture, with a bounty of AUD$130,000 for his arrest.
The Hong Kong government has labelled Yam and other activists as “anti-China” and claimed they were involved in destabilising activities.
In 2023, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning criticised Australia for offering a “safe haven” to “fugitives”.
The tensions between China and Australia have flared in recent months as three PLA warships encircled the continent in March.
Further incidents have included a Chinese fighter jet dropping flares on the ADF and an “unsafe” sonar blast against ADF divers.
The Chinese defence ministry also launched an intercontinental ballistic missile test into the Pacific Ocean after Australia met with its Quad partners.
