One of Australia’s largest Chinese-language media groups—which has links to Beijing—has been seized by liquidators.
Ostar International Media Group, which is based in Melbourne, runs eight Chinese and English-language radio stations, 11 Chinese newspapers, and an online television program. Its most prominent program is the 3CW radio station in Melbourne.
The group’s owner, millionaire Jiang Zhaoqing—or Tommy Jiang—was revealed to have links to the Chinese Communist Party and was invited as a special guest in 2011 to visit Beijing and attend the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
The group also owed funds to media licensing businesses JLS Media ($287,000) and Geelong Broadcasters ($64,000). In addition, the Northeast Chinese Chamber of Commerce was owed $100,000.
Jiang’s other business, Global CAMG Media Group, remains solvent, however.
Global CAMG is 60 percent owned by Guoguang Century Media Consultancy, which in turn, is owned by Chinese state-owned media giant, China Radio International (CRI)
CRI’s Sydney Bureau Chief Li Dayong left Australia after allegedly being questioned by the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation.
The seizure of Ostar comes following the release of new reports revealing the full extent of Beijing’s influence or control over Chinese-language media in Australia.
An additional four outlets were directly owned or received financial support from Beijing.