Australia refuses to say how many Chinese nationals are arriving by boat, saying it may damage bilateral relations

<p>Exclusive: Indonesia reports growing number of attempts by Chinese nationals to organise boat journeys, as Australian authorities refuse to reveal details</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/mar/24/australia-politics-live-fuel-crisis-cost-of-living-petrol-diesel-rationing-question-time-anthony-albanese-angus-taylor-pauline-hanson-one-nation-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The Australian government has refused to reveal how many Chinese nationals have arrived in Australia by boat since 2024, saying that disclosing the figure may harm relations with other countries.</p><p>However, reports by Indonesian police show that there has been a consistent trend of Chinese nationals attempting to reach Australia through Indonesia as an alternative to “zouxian”, or “walking the line” – the illegal migration route from Mexico to the US through the Darian Gap.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/25/australia-chinese-nationals-arriving-by-boat-indonesia-reports-surge">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →