Canberra wants detained Australian journalist in China reunited with family

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Canberra on Monday said Australian citizen and journalist Cheng Lei will complete 1,000 days in detention in China this week, expressing concern about “delays” in her case.

“Despite being separated from her family for so long, she has shown great resilience and courage,” said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

While all Australians “want to see her reunited with her children,” Wong said: “We share the deep concerns of her family and friends about the ongoing delays in her case.”

Cheng, a Chinese-born Australian journalist, who worked for Chinese public broadcaster CGTN, was formally arrested in February 2021 on “suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.”

She was detained in August 2020, before Australia confirmed six months later in February 2021.

Wong said: “We will continue to advocate for Cheng Lei at every opportunity with the Chinese government.”

“Today and every day my thoughts are with Cheng Lei and her children,” she said on Twitter.