Arabic version: أحكام معلّقة بحق صينيين في محاولة تهريب فاشلة

According to ABC News, three Chinese nationals have avoided immediate jail over a failed attempt to bring family members into Australia by boat near Mungalalu Truscott Airbase in Western Australia’s far north. Shuyan Hong, Zhongfang Zhang and Shuai Sun each received a three-year suspended jail sentence in Sydney’s Downing Centre Court.

The case concerned the April 2024 arrival of Chinese men on an Indonesian fishing boat near the air base, about 500 kilometres north-west of Kununurra. Australian Border Force detected and apprehended the group, although several people walked directly into the air base without being intercepted.

The court heard Hong’s husband and Zhang’s boyfriend had previously been refused tourist visas. Judge Mark Williams said Hong and Sun had tried to reach Truscott Airbase by April 5 to meet the fishing boat carrying the two men. They had left Sydney on March 30 in a hire car and driven 5,000 kilometres towards the Kimberley, while Zhang later returned to Sydney.

Flooding prevented Hong and Sun from reaching the area, and they remained in Broome, about 615 kilometres south-west of the air base. The next day, they hired e-bikes and told WA Police they were on a road trip. After learning that Border Force had detained the men on the boat, Hong and Sun travelled back towards Sydney but were stopped by Australian Federal Police near Wagga Wagga. Officers seized electronic devices and other trip information.

Judge Williams described unlawful entry into Australia as a “scourge” on society, but noted the trio had no previous convictions. The court heard Hong felt obliged to help her husband, Zhang had shown remorse and accepted responsibility, and Sun’s motive as the driver was financial. Their suspended sentences are subject to good behaviour and compliance with court orders. The maximum penalty for the offence is 10 years in prison or a fine.