China sending investigators to help with baby coffee attack investigation

China is sending a team of investigators to Brisbane to aid local authorities pursuing a Chinese national for allegedly pouring hot coffee on a baby in August 2024.

Then-nine-month-old Luka has undergone several surgeries since the attack, including synthetic skin grafts.

In the days following the attack, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the suspect was “known to be in China”, making it difficult to access him as Australia and China do not have an extradition agreement in place.

Hosting media at the Chinese embassy in Canberra on Wednesday, Beijing’s envoy to Australia Xiao Qian confirmed the “working group” but did not give a date for their arrival.

“There’s going to be a working group from China coming to Australia, going to Brisbane to investigate, to talk with Australian colleagues to see what happened, how it happened, and see what both sides can work together as a follow-up,” he told reporters.

“So we’re serious in investigating this incident.”

While Australia and China do not have extradition arrangements, Chinese nationals accused of crimes abroad can be prosecuted by Chinese authorities.

In a statement, Queensland Police Service (QPS) said it was, alongside the AFP, “supporting a delegation of Chinese authorities to visit Brisbane in relation to this matter”.

“The AFP values the ongoing co-operation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender’s location,” QPS said.

“China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for conduct which occurs outside China.

“The QPS and AFP continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues.”