The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a letter from detained Australian Cheng Lei is “moving”, but her release from detention won’t be a condition on him visiting Beijing.
Key points:
- Australian journalist Cheng Lei has been detained in China for three years
- In an open letter to Australians, she said that she misses things like sunshine and nature
- Anthony Albanese said he will continue to raise her case, but the relationship with China should not be “transactional”
This weekend marks three years of detainment for the journalist, who has written an open letter to the people of Australia, in which she speaks lovingly of Australia and the things she misses like sunshine and nature.
She said she hasn’t seen a tree since entering detention and can only stand in the sun 10 hours a year.
Mr Albanese said he will continue to raise her case but warned the relationship with China shouldn’t become “transactional”.
He said her letter “shows her passion for her country of Australia”.
“This issue should be resolved; this should be resolved by Cheng Lei not being kept in detention in the way that she has.”
Mr Albanese has been invited to visit China and said he wants to go, and his government will “engage” about a date.
“Visits and engagement and dialogue should not be transactional. Visits and dialogue are something that in themselves are constructive.”
The opposition’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham said progress needs to be made on securing the release of detained Australians, like Ms Cheng and Australian writer Yang Hengjun, before any prime ministerial visit.
“The government needs to be confident that it’s making real advances and significant advances before it commits to a visit,” he said.
“Ultimately that is a judgement call as to how well they are advancing in terms of these issues in terms of the detention of Australians.”
Mr Albanese said the issue of detained Australians was being raised “all the time” and the government would “always stand up for the interests of Australian citizens”.
Loading…
There has been a thawing in diplomatic tensions recently.
On Thursday China lifted a pandemic-era ban on large tours to dozens of countries including Australia and a week ago it dropped the 80 per cent tariffs on Australian barley, one part of a long running trade war.
But Trade Minister Don Farrell said more needs to be done.
“It’s not a transactional arrangement, we expect China to comply with its obligations under the World Trade Organisation and we want to see all of those trade impediments removed.”
‘Overwhelming’: Cheng partner grateful for support
Ms Cheng’s letter was delivered via her long-term partner Nick Coyle. His only communication with her during her detention has been via letters.
He said he was glad she had been able to address the public.
“She’s a very proud, passionate Australian and it was wonderful for her to be able to show that.”
He said the response to her letter had been “overwhelming” and there had been “an enormous amount of support”.
Mr Coyle said he and Ms Cheng appreciated the efforts being made by the government and said they had been engaging “constructively” on the issue.
He is hoping she will be released as attempts are made to mend relations between the countries.
“I think in that context, resolving this case compassionately and expeditiously is so important.”
Creating a situation in which Ms Cheng can return to her two children in Melbourne, without either country losing face or being seen to give into demands, will likely be the challenge.
Mr Coyle said he remains optimistic, but said it was hard not to feel guilty when enjoying simple things like sunshine, which his partner is missing.
“She’s doing it very, very tough,” he said.
“(Her letter) clearly shows it’s not only the major issues, like missing her children and her family, that Lei focuses on, but those little things we all take for granted.”