Australian journalists left China ‘amid diplomatic standoff’

Two Australian media outlets removed their reporters from China for what they say is a diplomatic showdown.

Bill Birtles of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Mike Smith of the Australian Financial Review landed in Sydney on Tuesday.

The Chinese authorities questioned both men before their departure. ABC reported that Birtles “was not asked about his reports or conduct in China.”

Relations between Australia and China have deteriorated in recent years.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said consular officials had provided support to journalists.

“Our embassy in Beijing and the consulate general in Shanghai have engaged with the Chinese government authorities to ensure their well-being and return to Australia,” he said in a statement Tuesday.

The AFR reported that Chinese authorities had questioned journalists about Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist for Chinese state media who has been detained since last month.

ABC reported that Australian diplomats advised Birtles and ABC management last week that it should leave China. It was then booked on a flight due to depart from Beijing last Thursday.

Agents told Birtles that he could not leave the country and would later be questioned about a “national security case,” according to the report.

He immediately contacted Australian consular officials, who picked him up and took him to the Australian embassy, ​​where he spent the next four days.

During that time, he was interviewed by Chinese police in the presence of the Australian Ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher.

Smith, who is based in Shanghai, also received a visit from the police, prompting him to go to the Australian consulate there. Both men were questioned about Ms Lei, AFR reported.

They were allowed to leave the country in exchange for agreeing to be interviewed by the police.

“It is very disappointing to have to leave under those circumstances,” Birtles said in Sydney.

“It is a relief to be back in the country with genuine rule of law. But this was a whirlwind and it is not a particularly good experience.”

AFR editors Michael Stutchbury and Paul Bailey said they were glad both journalists were safe.

“This incident targeting two journalists, who were fulfilling their normal reporting obligations, is regrettable and disturbing and does not benefit a cooperative relationship between Australia and China,” they said in a joint statement.

Bill Birtles and Mike Smith were the last two Australian media correspondents to work in China. Their evacuation means that for the first time since the mid-1970s there are no accredited Australian journalists in the country.

China is not only Australia’s key trading partner and the largest customer for its coal and iron ore, it is also one of the most important stories to cover. As tensions between Beijing and Canberra rise, the need for journalists on the ground in China becomes increasingly crucial.

ABC News Director Gaven Morris said: “The history of China, its relationship with Australia and its role in our region and in the world is of great importance to all Australians and we want to continue to have our people on the ground. to cover it. ”

But as the two countries continue to exchange political and diplomatic blows, and with China’s broader crackdown on Western journalists, it’s hard to see when Australian reporters will be allowed to return.

This development is not only a critical marker in the relationship between the two countries, it will undoubtedly affect Australian media coverage of this important story.