More than 1,200 Chinese spies are now in Australia according to a former Chinese agent.

The startling news came at the  the Defending Australia Summit in Canberra, and days after Chinese Navy boats surrounded Taiwan following their presidential election.

An interpreter assigned to the former spy quit hours before the conference due to fears he would speak negatively about the Chinese Government.

Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Shoebridge told Millsy and Karl on 6PR Mornings China is becoming more and more brazen in their influence on Australian domestic politics, and the evidence is clear to see.

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