China confirms detained Australian Cheng Lei is accused of leaking state secrets, as her family break their silence
3 years, 10 months ago

China confirms detained Australian Cheng Lei is accused of leaking state secrets, as her family break their silence

ABC  

The family of an Australian single mother detained in China on national security grounds have broken their silence, saying her children are devastated by her absence and keep asking when she is coming home. Key points: Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been detained in China since August 2020 Chinese authorities have just confirmed she is accused of unlawfully supplying or intending to supply state secrets or intelligence Ms Cheng's two young children are being cared for by their grandmother in Melbourne Cheng Lei, a business anchor for China's state television network CGTN, has been locked up in Beijing without charge or access to a lawyer for six months. "She's vivacious, intelligent, respectful, and really, really good fun," said Emily Angwin, an Australian news anchor who worked alongside Ms Cheng at CGTN before resigning from the channel. In December, Cheng Lei's close friend Haze Fan, a Chinese journalist in Beijing working for American outlet Bloomberg, was also taken away in what authorities say is a national security investigation. In a statement, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said, "The Australian Government has raised its serious concerns about Ms Cheng's detention regularly at senior levels, including about her welfare and conditions of detention.

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History of this topic

'Harrowing news': Australia says writer Yang Jun given suspended death sentence in China
10 months, 2 weeks ago

'Harrowing news': Australia says writer Yang Jun given suspended death sentence in China

Firstpost  

The Australian government announced that writer Yang Jun received a suspended death sentence in China, labeling it as “harrowing news.” Yang was arrested in 2019 at Guangzhou airport, accused of spying for an undisclosed foreign country. “The Australian government is appalled at this outcome,” AFP quoted Foreign Minister Penny Wong as saying at a news conference. “Australia will not relent …

Yang Hengjun's family plead for miracle as time runs out to secure Australian's release
1 year, 1 month ago

Yang Hengjun's family plead for miracle as time runs out to secure Australian's release

ABC  

The family of an Australian writer Yang Hengjun, detained for more than four years in China on suspicion of spying, has penned a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, pleading for him to do "all in his power" to secure their father's release ahead of a high-level visit to Beijing. Key points: Yang Hengjun's health has rapidly declined in recent …

'A sophisticated form of torture': Australian journalist Cheng Lei details detention ordeal
1 year, 2 months ago

'A sophisticated form of torture': Australian journalist Cheng Lei details detention ordeal

ABC  

Australian journalist Cheng Lei has described the conditions and mental anguish of the first 6 months of her incarceration in China as a form of torture. Call: Lifeline on 13 11 14 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 Headspace on 1800 650 890 QLife on 1800 184 527 "While you are …

Australian journalist says she was detained for 3 years in China for breaking an embargo
1 year, 2 months ago

Australian journalist says she was detained for 3 years in China for breaking an embargo

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australian journalist Cheng Lei says she spent more than three years in detention in China for breaking an embargo with a television broadcast on a state-run TV network. Her treatment in custody was designed to “drive home that point that in China that is a big sin,” Cheng told Sky News Australia. A Beijing court convicted her …

Australian journalist Cheng Lei, recently released from detention in China, was accused of breaching a media embargo
1 year, 2 months ago

Australian journalist Cheng Lei, recently released from detention in China, was accused of breaching a media embargo

ABC  

An Australian journalist recently released after spending three years in detention in China says she was accused of sharing a confidential document, shortly before the details were due to be made public. The embargo was broken by only "a few minutes" She is readjusting to life in Australia but says she keeps "expecting people to drop out of the sky …

Why did Beijing choose this moment to release Cheng Lei, and what might it signify?
1 year, 2 months ago

Why did Beijing choose this moment to release Cheng Lei, and what might it signify?

ABC  

When China's polished ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian was asked about Cheng Lei earlier this week, he did not give even a hint that one of the most painful and bitter disputes in the bilateral relationship had just been resolved. China's Ministry of State Security said on Wednesday that Cheng Lei had been "coaxed" by "personnel from an overseas agency" …

Chinese-born journalist thanks Australia for her freedom after 3 years in detention for spying
1 year, 2 months ago

Chinese-born journalist thanks Australia for her freedom after 3 years in detention for spying

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — A Chinese-born journalist credited the Australian government for her return to Australia “in one piece” after her three-year detention in China in an espionage case that strained bilateral ties. Wong also took credit for Cheng’s freedom, saying improved bilateral relations had paid dividends since her center-left Labor Party government was elected last year after nine years of …

Accused of 'supplying state secrets', journalist Cheng Lei waited three years in a Chinese prison — here's how she made it home
1 year, 2 months ago

Accused of 'supplying state secrets', journalist Cheng Lei waited three years in a Chinese prison — here's how she made it home

ABC  

Australian journalist Cheng Lei has returned to Australia and been reunited with her family — more than three years after she was first detained in China. Ms Cheng was working as a broadcast journalist at Chinese state-owned media CGTN when she was arrested and accused of "supplying state secrets overseas" in 2020 — an allegation she rejected. Accused of 'endangering …

Why has China released detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei?
1 year, 2 months ago

Why has China released detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei?

ABC  

The arrival of Cheng Lei back in Melbourne is clearly a moment of celebration for the Chinese Australian journalist and her family from whom she has been separated for over three years. Political pawn Mystery surrounds the reasons for Cheng's arrest, though shortly after she disappeared, a government official was reported as saying she had "endangered China's national security". How …

Supporters of jailed writer Yang Hengjun and other Australians jailed in China vow to continue fighting after Cheng Lei's release
1 year, 2 months ago

Supporters of jailed writer Yang Hengjun and other Australians jailed in China vow to continue fighting after Cheng Lei's release

ABC  

Supporters of imprisoned academic Yang Hengjun are vowing to renew their push for his freedom after the long-awaited release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei from jail in China. Key points: Writer Yang Hengjun was sentenced for espionage in 2021 but has yet to receive a verdict Details surrounding released journalist Cheng Lei's case remain unclear Other Australians are still being …

Australian-Chinese journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia
1 year, 2 months ago

Australian-Chinese journalist detained for 3 years in China returns to Australia

The Hindu  

A Chinese-Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on October 11. Mr. Albanese’s government has been lobbying for the release of Ms. Cheng and another Chinese-Australian held in China since 2019, Yang Hengjun. Mr. Albanese suggested that Ms. Cheng had recently been …

Cheng Lei: Australian TV presenter is freed by China and finally returns home to Melbourne after three years in a 'black jail' accused of spying
1 year, 2 months ago

Cheng Lei: Australian TV presenter is freed by China and finally returns home to Melbourne after three years in a 'black jail' accused of spying

Daily Mail  

Australian journalist Cheng Lei has arrived home safely in Australia after she was detained in China for more than three years. The Australian Government had fought for Ms Cheng's release since she was detained by the Chinese Ministry of State Security on August 13, 2020. Ms Cheng, a 48-year-old mother of two, was not allowed to speak to her children …

Australian journalist Cheng Lei back home after 3 years detained in China
1 year, 2 months ago

Australian journalist Cheng Lei back home after 3 years detained in China

Al Jazeera  

Former Chinese state TV anchor was imprisoned on murky charges of ‘supplying state secrets overseas’. An Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Cheng Lei, 48, who worked for the international department of China’s state broadcaster, was reunited with her two children …

Journalist detained for three years in China returns to Australia
1 year, 2 months ago

Journalist detained for three years in China returns to Australia

LA Times  

Cheng Lei, a Chinese-born Australian journalist, has returned to Australia after being imprisoned for three years in China. A Chinese Australian journalist who was convicted on murky espionage charges and detained in China for three years has returned to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Wednesday. Thank you Aussies.” Albanese’s government has been lobbying for the release of Cheng and …

Cheng Le: Journalist detained in China shares heartbreaking letter every Aussie needs to read - as she reveals the things she misses most after being kept in a dark cell
1 year, 4 months ago

Cheng Le: Journalist detained in China shares heartbreaking letter every Aussie needs to read - as she reveals the things she misses most after being kept in a dark cell

Daily Mail  

An Australian journalist languishing in a Chinese gulag has written a heartwrenching letter about how she pretends her family is hugging her back home when she wraps herself in jail-issue bedding. Despite the constant efforts of Australian officials to get the mother-of-two released, Ms Cheng has been locked up in a Beijing cell for almost three years under the authoritarian …

The Case of Cheng Lei
1 year, 6 months ago

The Case of Cheng Lei

The Diplomat  

Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been in detention in China for more than 1,000 days. Last month saw Beijing lift its ban on Australian timber, as well as providing Australia’s trade minister, Don Farrell, with a surprise tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing. While attempts at economic coercion through product bans and tariffs are petty and often counterproductive – …

Australia says ‘deep concerns’ over journalist detained in China
1 year, 8 months ago

Australia says ‘deep concerns’ over journalist detained in China

Al Jazeera  

Chinese-Australian Cheng Lei has yet to receive a verdict after more than two and a half years in detention. Australia has expressed “deep concerns” over delays in the case of a Chinese-Australian journalist who has been detained in China for more than two and half years on national security charges. Australian diplomats were prevented from attending the proceedings against Cheng, …

Ahead of Beijing Visit, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Demands Release of 2 Citizens
2 years ago

Ahead of Beijing Visit, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong Demands Release of 2 Citizens

News 18  

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday urged the release of citizens held in China, as she prepared to embark on a landmark visit to Beijing. Wong is set to be the first top Australian diplomat to visit China in four years, a trip aimed at thawing troubled relations. The two countries have sparred over political and moral issues — …

Australia FM to push for release of citizens during China visit
2 years ago

Australia FM to push for release of citizens during China visit

Al Jazeera  

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said she will press for the release of two Australian citizens held in China, as she prepared to embark on a landmark visit to Beijing — the first top Australian diplomat to visit the country in four years. In a sign of thawing relations between Australia and China, Canberra said on Tuesday that Wong …

Cheng Lei: Australia PM asks China to give journalist detained in Beijing access to her children
2 years, 3 months ago

Cheng Lei: Australia PM asks China to give journalist detained in Beijing access to her children

The Independent  

Australia’s prime minister has asked China to allow a Chinese-born journalist contact with her children after being detained by the Asian giant for two years. Prime minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday renewed Australian government’s will to continue to make representation with Chinese government for the detained journalist’s rights and urged China to “do better”. The Australian prime minister’s remarks on …

Australian journalist Cheng Lei details horrific conditions trapped in Beijing 'black' jail
2 years, 4 months ago

Australian journalist Cheng Lei details horrific conditions trapped in Beijing 'black' jail

Daily Mail  

Horrific details have emerged of an Australian journalist's life in Beijing's notorious 'black jail' more than two years after she was arrested and detained over accusations she leaked state secrets. The Daily Telegraph's documentary, Disappeared: The Cheng Lei Story, revealed Ms Lei's harrowing prison conditions including being escorted blindfolded and handcuffed for monthly 30-minute press conferences. Chinese-Australian news anchor and …

China holds espionage trial of Chinese Australian journalist
2 years, 8 months ago

China holds espionage trial of Chinese Australian journalist

Associated Press  

BEIJING — Chinese Australian journalist Cheng Lei went on trial in Beijing on Thursday on espionage charges, with diplomats denied permission to attend the proceedings. “Australian citizen Cheng Lei is suspected of committing the crime of illegally providing state secrets to foreign countries, and the case involves state secrets, so the court held the trial in a closed session in …

Australian journalist Cheng Lei faces China spying trial
2 years, 8 months ago

Australian journalist Cheng Lei faces China spying trial

Al Jazeera  

Cheng, who worked for state broadcaster CGTN, has been in detention since 2020 amid worsening Australia-China relations. Australian journalist Cheng Lei has gone on trial in a heavily-guarded Beijing court on spying charges after being detained for more than 19 months. Cheng, who was a leading business news presenter on Chinese state broadcaster CGTN when she was detained in August …

Australian journalist Cheng Lei faces trial in Beijing court
2 years, 8 months ago

Australian journalist Cheng Lei faces trial in Beijing court

The Hindu  

Australian journalist Cheng Lei was due to face trial in a Beijing court on Thursday on state secrets charges after more than 19 months in detention. Ms. Cheng, who was a television anchor for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN before being detained in August 2020, was formally arrested a year ago on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas. Ms. Cheng …

Australia voices concern for journalist as trial in China looms
2 years, 8 months ago

Australia voices concern for journalist as trial in China looms

The Hindu  

Canberra voiced concern for Australian journalist Cheng Lei's well-being on Saturday, as it confirmed she would face trial in China next week after almost two years in detention. "The Australian government has regularly raised serious concerns about Ms. Cheng's welfare and conditions of detention," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement, also confirming staff had met with Ms. Cheng …

Australian mother marks nine months in Chinese prison as curious online posts emerge
3 years, 7 months ago

Australian mother marks nine months in Chinese prison as curious online posts emerge

ABC  

An Australian mother of two detained in China for allegedly leaking state secrets has told Australian diplomats she has been warned her family should not raise her case in the media. Key points: Cheng Lei suddenly disappeared from CGTN broadcasts last August and could not be contacted by friends or relatives China confirmed in February she was under investigation for …

Australian journalist arrested in China for 'supplying state secrets'
3 years, 10 months ago

Australian journalist arrested in China for 'supplying state secrets'

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: An Australian journalist who disappeared from Chinese state television's airwaves six months ago and was detained by Beijing authorities has been formally arrested for "supplying state secrets overseas". Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Monday that China had revealed it formally arrested Cheng Lei on February 5, after taking her into custody last August without explanation. The mother-of-two stands …

China arrests Australian journalist Cheng Lei for allegedly spreading state secrets
3 years, 10 months ago

China arrests Australian journalist Cheng Lei for allegedly spreading state secrets

The Hindu  

China has formally arrested a Chinese-born Australian journalist for CGTN, the English-language channel of China Central Television, on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas, Australia's foreign minister said on Monday. “The Australian government has raised its serious concerns about Ms. Cheng's detention regularly at senior levels, including about her welfare and conditions of detention,” Foreign Minister Marise Payne said …

Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested in China, says Foreign Minister Marise Payne
3 years, 10 months ago

Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested in China, says Foreign Minister Marise Payne

ABC  

Chinese authorities have formally arrested Australian journalist Cheng Lei on suspicion of "illegally supplying state secrets overseas" almost half a year after she was first detained. Cheng Lei's family speak out Photo shows Cheng Lei smiles in a photo from before her arrest The family of an Australian single mother detained in China on national security grounds has broken their …

Australia says China has formally arrested TV anchor for spying
3 years, 10 months ago

Australia says China has formally arrested TV anchor for spying

Al Jazeera  

Cheng Lei, who has been held for nearly six months, is accused of ‘illegally supplying state secrets overseas’. Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist who worked as an anchor for Chinese state television, has been formally arrested for “illegally supplying state secrets overseas”, Australia said on Monday, nearly six months after she suddenly disappeared in China. Australia’s foreign minister Marise Payne …

Australian writer to face trial in China for espionage charges
4 years, 2 months ago

Australian writer to face trial in China for espionage charges

Deccan Chronicle  

Sydney: Detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun will face trial in Beijing on an espionage charge with a judge expected to be appointed in the next fortnight, friends said on Saturday. The Australian government said on Saturday it has been informed that “Chinese authorities have decided to prosecute Australian citizen Dr Yang Hengjun on charges yet to be announced”. Yang’s lawyers …

Detained Australian writer to face spy trial in China
4 years, 2 months ago

Detained Australian writer to face spy trial in China

Al Jazeera  

Yang Hengjun disappeared after arriving in Guangzhou in January 2019 and has not been allowed to see his family. Australian writer Yang Hengjun is to face trial in Beijing on an espionage charge, having been detained in China with no access to his family since January 2019, friends said on Saturday. Yang’s Beijing lawyers were notified on Wednesday that his …

Australian officials granted access to Cheng Lei, the Australian anchor detained in China
4 years, 2 months ago

Australian officials granted access to Cheng Lei, the Australian anchor detained in China

ABC  

The Federal Government has confirmed consular officials have had access this week to an Australian journalist detained in China. Key points: Australian officials have twice had consular access to Cheng Lei since her detention in August Chinese authorities have accused Ms Cheng of "endangering national security" It is not known exactly where the journalist is being held Cheng Lei was …

Cheng Lei, Australian anchor detained in Beijing, accused of 'endangering China's national security'
4 years, 3 months ago

Cheng Lei, Australian anchor detained in Beijing, accused of 'endangering China's national security'

ABC  

China says an Australian television anchor being detained in Beijing is suspected of "criminal activities" endangering national security. Key points: Cheng Lei was a television presenter on the Chinese Government's English language channel She was detained by authorities in August, as tensions between China and Australia grew China said Ms Lei was suspected of criminal activity on the same day …

Chinese-born Australian CCTV journalist detained in China
4 years, 3 months ago

Chinese-born Australian CCTV journalist detained in China

The Hindu  

A Chinese-born Australian journalist working for Chinese state television has been detained by authorities in China, Australia’s government says. Ms. Cheng worked for CGTN, the English-language channel of China Central Television, On Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said she had no information about Ms. Cheng’s situation, but accused Canberra of bowing to “pressure from allies,” in an apparent …

Detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei's last WeChat posts reveal life as normal in China
4 years, 3 months ago

Detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei's last WeChat posts reveal life as normal in China

ABC  

The last social media posts by a high-profile Australian journalist before she was detained in China reveal her going about normal daily life with no indications of any trouble. Key points: Ms Cheng's last social media post was on August 12 Posts on her Facebook page are critical of China's response to the coronavirus pandemic It is not known why …

Who is Cheng Lei and why is she being detained in China? Here's what we know
4 years, 3 months ago

Who is Cheng Lei and why is she being detained in China? Here's what we know

ABC  

Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist working in China, is being detained by the Chinese Government, it has emerged. Ms Cheng was detained several days ago, on August 14, but we only learned about her case last night when Foreign Minister Marise Payne issued a statement. Ms Cheng is being held under what's called "residential surveillance at a designated location". While …

Australian business anchor for China’s CGTN detained in Beijing
4 years, 3 months ago

Australian business anchor for China’s CGTN detained in Beijing

Al Jazeera  

Australia says Cheng Lei has been held since mid-August and China has not explained why. Australia has not been informed why Chinese authorities have detained Australian citizen Cheng Lei, a high-profile television anchor at state television channel CGTN in Beijing. No access to family, lawyer Cheng Lei works as a business anchor for CGTN, the international channel of Chinese state …

Cheng Lei, Australian anchor for China's government-run English news channel CGTN, detained in Beijing
4 years, 3 months ago

Cheng Lei, Australian anchor for China's government-run English news channel CGTN, detained in Beijing

ABC  

A high-profile Australian television anchor for the Chinese Government's English news channel, CGTN, has been detained in Beijing in a highly sensitive case posing a fresh challenge to Australia-China relations. Key points: Friends became concerned when Cheng Lei did not reply to messages in recent weeks Ms Cheng has not been charged but is being held under what is called …

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