Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he holds concerns for the welfare of journalist Cheng Lei who has spent the last three years in a Chinese prison.
Representations have been made to China for the Australian citizen’s release and will continue to be made at every opportunity, Mr. Albanese said.
Ms. Cheng was working for a Chinese state-owned media outlet when she was arrested in 2020 on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas.
“She’s someone who does not deserve this treatment and she’s someone who should be released,” Mr. Albanese told media on Saturday.
“We’ve made that point at the highest levels and continue to make that point whenever Australia meets with China.
“It is important that her human rights as an Australian citizen be respected.”
This week a public letter to Australia from Ms. Cheng detailed her struggles behind bars and her hopes of seeing her two young children again soon.
In her letter, Ms. Cheng said she hasn’t seen a tree in three years and has very little access to sunlight for most of the time.
“I can’t believe I used to avoid the sun when I was back in Australia,” she said in the letter.
“When I came back last time, I wrapped myself in the doona and pretended I was being hugged by my family under the sun.”
Mr. Albanese said the letter is a passionate plea by Ms. Cheng to be reunited with her children and her family.
On Friday, Mr. Albanese refused to make a scheduled visit to Beijing dependent on Ms. Cheng’s release, or any other demands, saying he does not want to make the relationship “transactional.”
“Visits and engagement and dialogue should not be transactional,” Mr. Albanese said.
“The worst thing that can happen between nations that have disagreements is that they stop talking.
“My government continues to engage with its counterparts at different levels: at ministerial level, at bureaucratic level, at various national security levels. We are engaged. That’s a positive thing.”
Mr. Albanese said since being elected his government has had increased contact with Ms. Cheng.
Last year, Ms. Cheng faced a closed trial in Beijing on national security charges the outcome of which is unknown.
