Australian journalist Cheng Lei has returned to Australia more than three years after being arrested and detained in China over espionage charges.
Ms Cheng was working as a broadcast journalist at Chinese state-owned media, CGTN when she was arrested on August 13, 2020, accused of “supplying state secrets overseas”, Cheng denied that allegation and that was a case that many saw as politically motivated.
She was put in Residential Surveillance at a Dedicated Facility — a form of detention criticized by human rights groups in which detainees are unable to have contact with the outside world.
The 48-year-old mother of two had been a familiar face on the state broadcaster’s English-language channel, conducting interviews with noted CEOs from around the world.
Cheng was born in China’s Hunan province but then moved to Australia. She was tried behind closed doors, with even Australia’s ambassador to China blocked from entering the court to observe proceedings.
Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Ms Cheng had served two years and 11 months.
“After she served the sentence, she was released,” he told media via a translator today.
“I’d like to stress that the Judicial Department had this sentence in accordance to law and to protect every right of Cheng Lei in accordance to law, including consular rights.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Ms Cheng’s release was a result of legal proceedings against her in China being concluded and he had known about her release “some time ago”.
Mr Albanese said she had been reunited with her family in Melbourne and he had spoken to her earlier today.
“I spoke to her about her recent message, of course, that she made to the Australian people,” he said.
While Ms Cheng is now home safe, Mr Albanese could not provide an update on the fate of Australian man Yang Hengjun, who has been detained in China since 2019.
“We continue to advocate for Dr Yang’s interests, rights and wellbeing with Chinese authorities at all levels, whether that be in Canberra or Beijing,” the prime minister said.
“We have done so consistently since Dr Yang was detained in January 2019 and we’ll continue to do so.”
