Australian Journalist Arrested In China On Spying Charges

Cheng Lei: Cheng Lei, a Chinese-born Australian journalist has been formally charged in spying and allegedly spreading state secrets by China. 

The journalist who was serving as a television news presenter for Chinese media outlet CGTN was detained in August last year. On Monday, the Chinese authorities have confirmed their news of her arrest and said that Cheng Lei's legal rights will be protected.  

Chinese ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin during a press briefing on Monday said that he hoped Australian Authorities "would not interfere with China's handling of this case". 

Following this Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said, " We expect basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment to be met, in accordance with international norms." 

Our thoughts are with Ms Cheng and her family during this difficult period, " she added. 

Cheng Lei was suddenly detained in August without any information to her family

Before her detention, Cheng Lei was in Beijing while family members lived in Australia. She suddenly disappeared in August and was unreachable to her friends and family. Her profile from CGTN website, the news outlet she was working for, was also removed.

China later announced that the state had detained Cheng Lei for allegedly breaching national security rules. China held on to the location of her detention and said that she was in "residential surveillance".  

While speaking to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) her niece Louisa Wen said that she doesn't think Cheng Lei would have done anything to harm national security intentionally. Her family members also claimed that Lei had been in jail and was constantly interrogated. They also added that her health had deteriorated. 

Due to the bilateral consular agreement between China and Australia, the Australian authorities were able to visit her once every month.