A Melbourne man has become the first to be charged under Australia’s foreign interference laws.

Australian Federal Police charged Duong Di Sanh, also known as Sunny Duong, with preparing to commit foreign interference this week – an offence that carries a potential 10-year jail term.

Mr Duong is a prominent member of Victoria's South-East Asian Chinese community and is allegedly connected to groups relating to China's overseas influence efforts. He has been linked with the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, which is itself linked to the Chinese Government's overseas influence arm, the United Front Work Department.

The exact nature of his alleged offences is not yet known.

Mr Duong was released on bail to an address in Melbourne after he appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.

His has his next court date in March next year.

AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney says it is the first charge od a foreign interference offence since new laws were passed in 2018.

“The CFI [Counter Foreign Interference] Taskforce has taken preventative action to disrupt this individual at an early stage,” Deputy Commissioner McCartney said.

“Foreign interference is contrary to Australia's national interest, it goes to the heart of our democracy.

“It is corrupting and deceptive, and goes beyond routine diplomatic influence practiced by governments.”

The foreign espionage laws force people working for foreign companies and governments to declare their activities, among other things.