‘I was more emotional than she was’: Penny Wong’s tears at meeting Cheng Lei, freed from Chinese jail

Australians were privy to a rarely seen side of Penny Wong as the stoic Foreign Affairs Minister described her tears of joy during a recent emotional meeting.

Australians witnessed a rarely seen side of Penny Wong as the oft stoic Foreign Affairs Minister became emotional when welcoming home detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei.

Revealing details of Wednesday’s Melbourne airport reunion with Ms Cheng’s children and family, Senator Wong described the “privilege to meet her on behalf of all of Australia” as “one of those rare moments that you have in this job”.

Ms Cheng’s return from more than three years in Chinese prison was the culmination of years of covert work, which Senator Wong said was “persistent, consistent advocacy”.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong (R) hugging Australian journalist Cheng Lei upon her arrival at the airport in Melbourne. . (Photo by Sarah Hodges / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) / Australia Global Alumni / AFP) /

The Advertiser revealed on Wednesday that the usually formidable and stoic Senator Wong shed tears as she welcomed Ms Cheng, 48, home to Melbourne.

“It was really moving to meet Cheng Lei yesterday and to speak to her kids, who are not much older than mine,” Senator Wong said on Thursday morning.

“I made them a promise some time ago we would do everything, I would do everything I could, to bring her home and it was wonderful to see them together.

“Very moving and I wish her and her family well.

“She asked what she could do for us and I said: ‘You can thrive, thrive and be healthy and happy, and that’s what all Australians want you to do’.”

Asked about Ms Cheng’s condition, Senator Wong said: “She was in extraordinarily good spirits. I think I was more emotional than she was. I think she’s pretty tough. She looked great.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong (L) speaking with Australian journalist Cheng Lei upon her arrival at the airport in Melbourne. Photo by Sarah Hodges / Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) / Australia Global Alumni / AFP)

Ms Cheng on Wednesday afternoon issued a joy-filled thank you letter to Aussies after returning to her home in Melbourne following years of detainment in China.

“Tight hugs, teary screams, holding my kids in the spring sunshine. Trees shimmy from the breeze. I can see the entirety of the sky now! Thank you Aussies,” she said in the statement, released on her behalf by her partner Nick Coyle.

Cheng Lei was snuck out of China on a commercial flight to Melbourne, it can be revealed, accompanied by Australian ambassador to Beijing Graham Fletcher.

In powerful photos released by the government Wednesday afternoon documenting her return, an emotional Ms Lei is seen hugging Senator Wong and meeting with Australian ambassador to China Graham Fletcher.

Mr Graham Fletcher was part of the team who worked publicly and behind the scenes to secure her release.

Ms Cheng was all smiles as she sat with Senator Wong at the airport discussing her journey from a prison cell to freedom in Australia.