BUT DEFECTING IS SO '70S:

Diplomat wants to defect (Simon Kearney and Cameron Stewart, June 04, 2005, news.com.au)

A SENIOR Chinese diplomat is on the run with his family after abandoning his post and seeking political asylum in Australia.

Claiming he fears persecution if he returns to Beijing, Chen Yonglin, 37, the consul for political affairs at the Chinese consulate-general in Sydney, said last night consulate security staff were looking for him after he walked out of the mission seven days ago.

"They are searching for me. I heard they are looking for me everywhere, especially in the Chinese community," Mr Chen told The Weekend Australian.

"I feel very unsafe, so I seek protection."

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed last night that "an official from the Chinese consulate had applied to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for a protection visa".