The Chinese government said on Tuesday that a high-profile Australian TV anchor working for Chinese state media had been arrested’ on "national security" grounds.
Authorities arrested Cheng Lei, a business
journalist for the English-language CGTN channel, August 14.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Xiao Lijian
said authorities suspected Lei of criminal activity endangering China's
national security.
He said that necessary steps have been
taken’ and investigation is underway by the concerned authority.
"This case is being handled in
accordance with the law and is a guarantee of Chiang's legitimate rights and
interests."
This is the first time the Chinese
government has commented’ on Cheng's detention, which has strained relations
with Australia.
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Australian journalists flee China
Australian journalists fled China on
Monday night after taking refuge in Australian diplomatic missions across the
country.
Bill Birtles, who works for public
broadcaster ABC, and Michael Smith, an Australian financial reviewer, said he
feared arrest by Chinese authorities.
The diplomatic staff eventually broke an
agreement stating that they could leave the country if they agreed to be
interviewed’ by the police.
Both said they were questioned’ by
security officials about Cheng's case in the presence of the Australian
ambassador to China.
Strained relationship
China has repeatedly accused Australia of
interfering in its internal affairs with its criticism of the country's human
rights record and Beijing's crackdown on foreign media outlets.
Relations between the two countries soured
in April when Canberra called for an international inquiry into the origin of
the coronavirus.
A month later, Beijing introduced several
new tariffs on a number of Australian products.
China is Australia's top trading partner.
According to Australian government figures, trade between the two countries was
worth 170 170 billion (143 billion euros) last year.
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