Anthony Albanese, Australian Prime Minister urged on Saturday for China to free detained Australian journalist, Cheng Li, saying that he was concerned about her situation after three years behind bars.
Cheng Li is a former anchor for CGTN, the Chinese state broadcaster, who has been jailed since August 2020 but was officially detained in February 2021. She was formally charged with providing state secrets abroad but no other details have been provided yet.
Cheng expressed her jail conditions in a note to Australian officials, saying she misses sunlight and trees but “most of all I miss my kids”.
Nick Coyle, a fellow of Cheng, shares the following message through platform X.
When Albanese was asked about Cheng’s welfare, he said, “I surely am, and Cheng should be freed. This is three years too long.”
During a visit to Queensland, Albanese told reporters that Cheng Li is an Australian citizen. She doesn’t deserve this bad treatment. He added that Australia had pressured Cheng’s freedom at the “highest levels” and would continue to do so “whenever Canberra meets with Beijing”.
Cheng Li’s human rights are significant as a respected citizen of Australia, the PM said.
Australian PM has been invited to visit China, but no date has been confirm yet.
On Friday, the Chinese foreign ministry said that the case of Cheng was being held under the law and her lawful right was being protected.
