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SYDNEY: Chinese authorities detained an Australian national working as a high-profile television host in China, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday (Aug 31).
Tensions between Beijing and Canberra have risen since the Australian government called for an international investigation into the origins of the new coronavirus. Since then, Beijing has imposed trade tariffs and anti-dumping surveys on multiple Australian products.
Australian citizen and journalist Cheng Lei, who worked for the Chinese state television international channel CGTN in Beijing, had been detained for two weeks, according to the statement.
He said that the Australian government received a formal notification of his arrest from the Chinese authorities on August 14.
A statement issued by Cheng’s family in Australia said it expected “a timely and satisfactory conclusion” and was in close consultation with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Australian officials spoke to Cheng at a detention center via video link on Aug. 27, Payne said, adding that consular officials will continue to support her and her family.
China’s Foreign Ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.
Cheng is the second high-profile Australian citizen to be detained in Beijing after writer Yang Hengjun was arrested in January 2019 on suspicion of espionage.
Earlier this year, Australia warned its citizens that they faced the risk of arbitrary detention if they traveled to China.
