In a controversial move, Chinese officials appeared to block former imprisoned journalist Cheng Lei from the view of cameras during a high-profile event featuring Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra. Cheng, who was imprisoned in Beijing for three years, later revealed her belief that two embassy officials had deliberately obstructed her to prevent any actions they deemed potentially embarrassing.
Premier Li’s visit, the first by a Chinese premier since 2017, is widely seen as a significant step toward easing tensions between China and Australia following a series of disputes. Both Li and Albanese described their bilateral discussions as constructive.
When questioned about Cheng’s apparent obstruction on Monday, Albanese stated he was unaware of the incident but emphasized the importance of allowing people to participate fully. “That’s what should happen in this building and anywhere else in Australia,” he added.
Cheng, currently a journalist for Sky News Australia, recounted how she had been seated in an area designated for media representatives when the two officials “went to great lengths to block me from the cameras and to flank me.” Footage from the event showed Australian officials attempting to intervene while Cheng captured the scene on her phone.
Cheng, 49, was working as a business reporter for China’s state-run English language TV station CGTN when she was arrested in August 2020 on charges of “illegally supplying state secrets overseas.” Her trial was conducted in secret, with charges never publicly disclosed. She was unexpectedly released in October last year.
Cheng’s detention, alongside that of another Australian, democracy blogger Yang Hengjun who remains imprisoned, exacerbated diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Canberra. Upon assuming office in 2022, Albanese pledged to improve relations and end the diplomatic standoff that had intensified during the pandemic, fueled by mutual accusations of foreign interference and Chinese sanctions on various Australian goods.
During Monday’s event, Premier Li expressed his desire to foster a “more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership” with Australia. Albanese highlighted progress on crucial issues, including enhancing military-to-military communication to prevent incidents. The two nations also signed several cooperation documents covering business, education, and climate change.
In a move to boost trade and tourism, China announced that Australia would be added to its visa waiver program. This follows Albanese’s visit to China last year, marking the first visit by an Australian leader since 2016. Albanese hailed the trip as “significant progress” in relations after talks with President Xi Jinping.