Australian journalist Cheng Lei formally arrested in China after being detained for six months

An Australian journalist has been formally arrested in China on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.

Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been formally arrested in China on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.

Ms Cheng was detained on August 13 last year, but China’s decision to formally arrest her on Friday means an official investigation will now begin.

Foreign affairs minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday that Australian embassy officials had visited Ms Cheng six times since her detention — most recently on January 27.

“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,” she said.

Cheng Lei has been formally arrested in China. Picture: AFP

“We expect basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment to be met, in accordance with international norms.

“Our thoughts are with Ms Cheng and her family during this difficult period.”

Senator Payne told reporters that with the Chinese legal system the period after formal arrest could take several months.

“We will stay in close touch with the Chinese authorities as that progresses,” she said.

Ms Cheng was working as an anchor for China’s state-run English language news service, CGTN.

Her 11-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son are currently being cared for by their grandmother in Melbourne.