Chinese officials block Cheng Lei from view at Australia-China press event

The veteran journalist said the ‘amusing’ incident where she was blocked by Chinese officials ‘wasn’t surprising’, adding that she did not want to become a sideshow during the diplomatic visit | WATCH

Cheng Lei blocked from view by Chinese officials at press event.

Sky News Australia journalist Cheng Lei says while it’s unfortunate Chinese officials repeatedly attempted to block her from view during a historic joint press event with Anthony Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, she’s not surprised.

The bizarre scene unfolded when Cheng – who was detained in a Chinese prison for three years – was seated among other Australian journalists to watch the Prime Minister and Premier Li speak on a series of agreements struck between Beijing and Canberra.

Video of the incident shows a man in a blue suit and a woman in a brown coat repeatedly manoeuvring in an attempt to prevent Cheng from being captured by news cameras.

Mr Albanese and Premier Li used the speech to assert that the relationship between Australia and China had been “renewed and revitalised” and the two countries were focused on stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Mr Albanese declined to condemn the conduct of Chinese officials attempting to block Cheng from the view of news cameras.

The Prime Minister said it was important that everyone is able to participate in the day’s events, but he did not see the incident in question which was captured on camera.

“Well, I didn’t see it, but I saw Cheng Lei and we smiled at each other during the event,” he said.

“I’m not aware of those issues and it is important that people be allowed to participate fully, and that is what should happen in this building, or anywhere else in Australia.”

Cheng said the officials’ attempt to block her was borne from a desire to ensure she did not appear in vision for the TV news and fear that she would seek to sow discord or disrupt the event.

“Personally, I wasn’t hurt. I just found it amusing that they have shot themselves in the foot,” she told The Australian.

“Yes, it’s unfortunate, but it’s actually not that surprising the way they behave, because this is what trying to have utter control actually does.”

Cheng Lei obstructed by Chinese officials. Picture: The Daily Telegraph

The confrontation occurred while the Prime Minister gave post-meeting remarks.

The veteran journalist said the incident highlighted the Chinese government’s desire to enforce control, adding that she did not wish to become a sideshow to the diplomatic visit.

“I’m sympathetic to the Prime Minister for not being aware of the incident,” she said.

“He did have a state lunch to host, and this is a very big visit with a lot of pressure placed by the Chinese, on making it look good.

“We’ve just had so many DFAT officials working so hard, and I don’t want to be the sideshow to distract everyone from what’s really happened, which is improvement in the relationship that we hope should be good for business and for resolving a lot of the differences.”

Cheng was born in China but migrated to Australia aged 10 and was working as an anchor for the Chinese government’s English-language TV channel, CGTN, when she was detained in August 2020.

She was charged with providing state secrets to foreign organisations and detained by the Chinese Ministry of State, with Chinese authorities providing few details about the reasons for her arrest.

Following her release in October 2023, Cheng revealed she had broken an embargo relating to a Chinese government briefing before it was announced publicly by a few minutes, which led to her arrest.

Since her release she has returned to journalism as a host for Sky News.