Louise Willis – ABC News – 10 may 2011
WikiLeaks has reportedly revealed China tried to set up a spy base in Australia's near neighbour, East Timor.
Leaked US diplomatic cables show China offered to construct and operate a surveillance radar facility on East Timor's north coast in 2007.
US nuclear submarines reportedly use the area to move between the Pacific and Indian oceans.
But while East Timorese officials were keen for help to crack down on illegal fishing in their waters, they became suspicious when China's offer was made free of charge.
Fairfax newspapers report that East Timorese officials consulted the US and Australia before declining China's offer.
They were concerned the radars could be used to extend China's spy capabilities deep into South-East Asia.
The Chinese offer is described in the cables as a "strategic threat".
The Fairfax report says Australian officials knew of the proposal and described it as "China trying to grow its intelligence activity through Asia and beyond".
The cables also refer to Chinese bids to expand intelligence activities in the Philippines and East Timor's purchase of two patrol boats from China
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