Chinese diplomat claims jailed Australian journalist Cheng Lei’s rights ‘well protected’

China’s top diplomat in Australia says the rights of jailed Aussie journalist Cheng Lei are ‘well protected’ despite her case being shrouded in secrecy.

China’s top diplomat in Australia says the rights of jailed journalist Cheng Lei are “well protected” despite her secret trial with no verdict, as he also denied Beijing seeks to dominate the Indo-Pacific.

Refusing to acknowledge China’s human rights violations and aggressive expansion in the region, Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian instead called for a positive “reset” of relations with Australia at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday.

Asked why China would not release Ms Cheng, a Chinese-Australian journalist jailed almost two years ago for allegedly sharing national security information, Mr Xiao said her case was still under a “jurisdiction process”.

He insisted the rights of Ms Cheng, who was secretly tried in March, were “well protected” and previous limits on family visits and diplomatic support were merely “because of the pandemic”.

“There are a couple of Australian citizens in China that are under custody according to Chinese rules and laws, and their basic rights are well protected, don’t worry about that,” he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian has defended Beijing’s treatment of jailed Australian journalist Cheng Lei. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Chinese Australian journalist Cheng Lei faced a closed door trial in China in March and has been in jail since August 2020. Picture: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

But Ms Cheng’s partner has confirmed she had not been allowed any family visits and only recently regained access to 30 minute monthly video conferences with Australian consular officials.

Mr Xiao said it was right for China to use military exercises to “send a message” to Taiwan in the wake of a high profile visit to the island by US Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Speaker of the U.S. House Of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan this month. Picture: Chien Chih-Hung/Office of The President via Getty Images

“This is a reaction to provocations from the US side from the separatist movements in Taiwan … the reaction is legitimate, it’s justified and there’s no reason for a reproach.”

Mr Xiao said if “compelled,” the Chinese Government would use “all necessary means” to ensure Taiwan never separated from China.

Asked what “means” this referred to, Mr Xiao said “use your imagination”.

He said there was “no room for compromise” on the question of Taiwan.

China fired ballistic missiles and deployed fighter jets on August 4 as it held its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan, in response to Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island. Picture: PLA Eastern Theatre Command/ESN/AFP

Mr Xiao blamed negative media coverage for Australians’ poor perceptions of China, and in a wide ranging speech attempted to put a positive spin on the current diplomatic relationship.

He insisted there were “no areas” where Australia and China had “fundamental conflicts of interest”.

Mr Xiao said the “last thing” both countries should do was let their differences “obstruct, even hijack, the overall relationship and co-operation”.

“When we co-operate we both win, when we don’t, we both lose,” he said.

The Chinese ambassador insists Austalia and China do not have “fundamental conflicts of interest”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Xiao said whether a country had chosen a “good political system or not” was for the people of that country to decide and no one else.

“Only the wearer of the shoes, know whether the shoes fit or not,” he said.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Australia simply wanted “peace and security in our region”.

“Nothing more, nothing less,” he said.

Mr Dutton said China’s propaganda was similar to what was coming out of Russia or North Korea.

“It needs to be called out,” he said.

“We’re not going to cower. We’re not going to appease.”