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Two Australian journalists, Bill Birtles, a correspondent for the Beijing-based Australian Broadcasting Corp, and Michael Smith of the Shanghai-based Australian Financial Review, left China after Chinese authorities involved them in investigating the story. Chinese and Australian dual-national TV host Cheng Lei, who was arrested last month. Birtles admitted to knowing Cheng, although not very well, while Smith said he only met her once.
At first, the Chinese authorities notified the two journalists that they were prohibited from leaving the country, but Birtles and Smith managed to reach the Australian embassy. Then, after a high-level negotiation between the two countries, on Monday the journalists sailed for Australia. Before leaving China, the two journalists agreed to be questioned by the Ministry of State Security. They arrived in Australia on Tuesday morning.
It is nice to be home, but it is deeply disappointing to leave China under such abrupt circumstances. It’s been a big part of my life and last week it was surreal. A big thank you to ABC, friends, colleagues, and everyone involved at DFAT. Plus @MikeSmithAFR for sharing the journey. pic.twitter.com/zkJEV4Oa27
– Bill Birtles (@billbirtles) September 8, 2020
Cheng published an English news program on the channel. CGTN, which is part of Chinese state television CCTV. No formal charges have been brought against her and the Chinese authorities have not clarified the reason for her arrest. At the moment we only know that diplomatic talks are taking place to try to obtain more information, but the matter is also provoking talks because for some time the tensions between Australia and China have intensified greatly.
– Read also: Australia will air its television shows in the Pacific to counter Chinese influence
As explained by the Australian site ABCCheng is not formally charged, but he has been under “residential surveillance at a designated place” since at least August 14, which is a tool with which Chinese police forces can arrest a suspect and hold him for up to six months. Chinese law states that with this type of surveillance the authorities can prevent the detained person from contacting anyone, including lawyers, even before an accusation is filed.
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