Australian Financial Review journalist Mike Smith safe back on home soil after fleeing China

The parents of a Tasmanian journalist who was forced to flee China after being banned from leaving by police, have expressed their relief he is safe back on Australian soil.

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THE parents of a Tasmanian journalist forced to flee China amid fears for his safety say they are relieved their son is back in Australia.

The Australian Financial Review’s Mike Smith, who began his journalism career at the Mercury, was evacuated from Shanghai on Tuesday in an escalating diplomatic row.

Shock Cold War-era tactics including late night police visits and sudden travel bans forced Mr Smith and the ABC’s Bill Birtles – the last remaining Australian journalists in China – to return home.

Mr Smith was subjected to questioning by Chinese authorities on Monday night.

He took refuge in Australia’s Shanghai consulate, as diplomats negotiated his safe passage from the country along with Mr Birtles, and is now in quarantine after safely arriving in Sydney.

Journalist Mike Smith at Tunnel Bay near Shipstern Bluff last year when he was home visiting his parents Peter and Anne Smith. Picture: LIBBY SUTHERLAND

Mr Smith’s father Peter, of Hobart, said he had spoken to his son over the phone and that he seemed to be in good spirits.

“We’re very happy to have him back. We don’t know much … only what we are seeing on the news,” he said.

“He’s good I think, he’s relieved to be home. But he’s a bit sad it’s under these circumstances.”

Mr Smith senior said his son had been working in China for around two-and-a-half years.

Mr Birtles’ saga began last week when Australian diplomats advised him to leave China, but before he could do so he was visited by seven police officers who told him he was banned from leaving and was required for questioning over a “national security case”.

Mr Birtles then arranged to be taken to the Australian Embassy in Beijing, where he spent four days as diplomats negotiated a lifting of the travel ban if he spoke to Chinese authorities.

The Chinese government has also stopped renewing media credentials for journalists working for US media organisations and hinted it will expel reporters if there is any retaliation.

Australian journalist Cheng Lei was detained in Beijing last month. Picture: Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

American organisations including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News and Getty Images have all been impacted by the sudden decision, which China has linked to new visa regulations for its own journalists in the US.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China said in a statement it was “very alarmed” by the move to stop journalists renewing their credentials.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirmed the government had assisted the two journalists to leave China.

“Our Embassy in Beijing and Consulate-General in Shanghai engaged with Chinese Government authorities to ensure their wellbeing and return to Australia,” she said.

Ms Payne said Australia’s current travel advice for China, which was updated on July 7 warning people may be “at risk of arbitrary detention” remained “appropriate and unchanged.”

Ms Payne said the government was continuing to provide consular support to Australian citizens detained in China, including journalist Cheng Lei, who was detained in Beijing last month.