‘I Miss My Children’: Journalist Detained in Chinese Prison Pens Letter to Australia

Australian journalist Cheng Lei is seen in Beijing, China, in this still image taken from undated video footage. Australia Global Alumni-Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Handout via Reuters

Australian journalist Cheng Lei has sent a “love letter” to her home country on the eve of the third anniversary of her arrest and detention by the Chinese Communist Party.

Ms. Cheng’s letter, who has been locked up in a Beijing prison cell for over 1,000 days or three years, was revealed on Aug. 10 by her partner Nick Coyle.

“G'day Aussies,” she begins her letter, which has been posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

“This is a love letter to 25 million people and seven million square kilometres of land. Land abundant in nature, beauty, and space. It is not the same in here. I have not seen a tree in three years.”

“I miss the sun. In my cell, the sun shines through the window, but I can stand in it for 10 hours a year,” she said.

“Every year, the bedding is taken into the sun for two hours to air. When I came back last time, I wrapped myself in the doona and pretended I was being hugged by my family under the sun.

“I can’t believe I used to avoid the sun when I was back in Australia ...”

Ms. Cheng’s two young children and family reside in the southern Australian city of Melbourne in Victoria. But, according to her partner, Nick Coyle, she has not been able to contact them regularly.

Beijing Needs to Understand Australia’s Reaction to Letter

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham has called the letter beautiful but also heartbreaking in the cruelty it exposed.

In an interview with Sky News on Aug. 11 he said that both the federal government and the opposition had many concerns over her case, and hoped the Chinese regime paid attention to the reaction from Australians.

“I hope that officials sitting in the Chinese Embassy here in Canberra read these words, see the reaction and the emotion across Australia as people reflect upon it, and that they convey those messages back to Beijing in the strongest possible ways,” the senator said.

“I do believe that every effort continues to be made, as it was by the previous government in terms of diplomatic representations, and all ministers, I’m certain, will continue to raise this at every opportunity as they should—as they must.”

In a separate statement, Senator Birmingham said the Coalition called on Chinese authorities to end this matter and release Ms. Cheng and allow her to return home.

“For Ms. Cheng, the extent of the physical and emotional trauma of three years of separation from loved ones, including young children, amidst uncertainty and secrecy is beyond comprehension,” he said.

Foreign Minister’s Reaction

Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, in a statement on Aug. 11 said the Albanese government’s thoughts were with Ms. Cheng and her loved ones.

“I want to acknowledge Ms. Cheng’s strength and the strength of her family and friends through this period,” she said.

“Ms. Cheng’s message to the public makes clear her deep love for our country. All Australians want to see her reunited with her children.

Australia has consistently advocated for Ms Cheng and asked that basic standards of justice, procedural fairness, and humane treatment be met for Ms Cheng, in accordance with international norms.

The comments from Senator Wong follow the admission by Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell there had been no sign that, under the current diplomatic thaw, the Chinese communist authorities would consider her release.

“It’s a terrible situation,” Mr. Farrell said.

“In all of my discussions with my counterpart, I’ve raised the issue, and I know the prime minister and the foreign minister have done the same. We continue to make representations on behalf of those individuals and keep our fingers crossed that we can resolve those issues.”