Chen Yonglin, 37, a former political consul at the consulate, fled his job last month and said at a rally Saturday that a ring of up to 1,000 spies operating in Australia has kidnapped individuals and repatriated them to China.

The consulate said Chen has reached the end of his four-year stint in Australia and is making up stories because he does not want to return.

``To achieve the aim of staying in Australia, Chen Yonglin fabricated stories, which are unfounded and purely fictitious,'' the consulate said.

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said Chan's application for asylum would not receive special treatment. The minister also refused to comment on statements that Australian officials have warned Chen his actions ``will cause serious consequences,'' possibly impacting on Canberra's burgeoning trade relationship with Beijing.

``Any of these applications are handled individually and they're handled on their merit and this one will be handled in the normal way,'' she told Channel Ten television.

Greens senator Bob Brown said Australia needs to act on Chen's allegations that an extensive network of spies in the country has kidnapped individuals and repatriated them to China.

Brown said Chen fears he will be persecuted if he is forced to return to China, and needs special protection.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE