Chinese spying trial locked in for Sydney businessman

A Sydney businessman accused of helping Chinese spies will have to wait more than a year for a trial as he again disputes the allegation.

Alexander Csergo, 56, allegedly provided information to two Chinese spies posing as think-tank workers.

Prosecutors allege that between February 2021 and March 2023 in Shanghai, NSW and elsewhere, the Bondi man engaged in covert or deceptive conduct involving two foreigners named "Ken" and "Evelyn".

He allegedly provided handwritten reports to the pair.

On Friday at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court, Csergo formally contested the foreign-interference charge.

"Not guilty, Your Hhonour," he told Judge Timothy Gartelmann while appearing by video-link from Silverwater prison.

At a local court hearing in October, Csergo's high-profile lawyer Bernard Collaery said his client used open-source information and co-operated as harmlessly as possible in his exchanges with "Ken" and "Evelyn".

Mr Collaery said Csergo had done so out of fear of repercussions while he was in China as the country remained in COVID-19 lockdown.

"This man was determined not to be detained in China," he told a bail hearing at the time.

"He was co-operating to keep his nose clean."

A four-week trial is scheduled to commence on May 19, 2025.