Australian journalist Cheng Lei detained in China
An Australian journalist and former University of Queensland student has been detained in China. It comes just weeks after authorities warned that Australians could be arbitrarily detained in China as tensions rise with our largest trading partner.
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Speculation has been raised over whether Australian journalist Cheng Lei’s detainment in China could be related to her questions over the Chinese Communist Party’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Cheng, 45, was an anchor on the state-owned China Global Television Network, which has since taken down her profile from its website.
She is believed to be held in a secret location, with Chinese authorities giving no reason for her detainment.
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The mother of two had studied Commerce at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1995.
Her detainment is a troubling development amid mounting tensions between the two countries.
It comes just weeks after authorities warned there could be arbitrary detention of Australia citizens in China, our largest trading partner.
While not overtly critical of the CCP, Ms Cheng often questioned the state media and government’s handling of the pandemic.
“The big story today, Dear Leader’s visit, triggered titters in the newsroom — waving to a big TV screen showing the coronavirus hospital in Wuhan apprently (sic) equals a visit,” she wrote in a post on March 10.
In another post where Wuhan citizens were told by the government to be “grateful”, Ms Cheng posted: “Even in China, where the pool of material for satire never runs low, this is too rich.
“And instead of officials hanging their heads in shame (imagine how many in Japan would have hung themselves by now), they are asking the locals to be ‘grateful’,” she added.
In February she wrote:
“The web censors must be the only people busier than the doctors, even an article titled ‘Everyone should have the right to express different opinions: Xi Zhongxun’ (Xi Jinping’s father) gets deleted.”
According to Ms Cheng’s Facebook profile, she started working for CGTN in December 2012 after working in New Jersey at CNBC.
In February, Ms Cheng, posted that she and a colleague were lobbying their bosses to allow them to go to Wuhan to report on the virus, but were “not succeeding”.
Ms Cheng, who is regularly commended for her coronavirus coverage online, often posted detailed descriptions of her time in lockdown with her children, including how they watched YouTube videos of Robert Irwin.
The Australia Government has not indicated yet with regards to what, or if, Ms Cheng has been charged.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne last night confirmed she had been detained for more than two weeks.
“Formal notification was received on 14 August 2020 from Chinese authorities of her detention,” Ms Payne said.
“Australian officials had an initial consular visit with Ms Cheng at a detention facility via video link on 27 August and will continue to provide assistance and support to her and her family.”
She said further comment could not be provided due to privacy obligations.
In a video posted to YouTube by an Australian Government organisation Australia Global Alumni, Ms Cheng describes her enjoyment of journalism and working with CGTV.
“China is one of those subjects that can be talked up or talked down any of a number of notches, depending on the person’s knowledge and experience,” she says in the video from May 2018.
On July 8, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have said foreigners in China had been detained on “national security” grounds and warned Australians could be detained without reason.
The warning had some China security experts in Australia suggest the warning was due to increased concerns of “hostage diplomacy”.
At the time, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said people had “no need to worry” if they followed the law.
“I can tell you that as a principle, the Chinese government always protects the safety and legitimate rights and interests of foreign nationals in China,” Mr Zhao said.
“There is no need to worry at all as long as they abide by laws and regulations.”
