Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who has been incarcerated in China for the past three years, has shared her first public statement detailing the challenging conditions of her imprisonment.

In a letter dictated to an Australian consular official in Beijing and passed on to her partner, Nick Coyle, Cheng Lei addresses the Australian public directly, expressing her yearning for the sun and nature of Australia, which she sorely misses during her incarceration.

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

Cheng Lei, who was working as a broadcast journalist for Chinese state-owned media CGTN, was arrested on August 13, 2020, on charges of “supplying state secrets overseas,” a claim she denies. She has been held under Residential Surveillance at a Dedicated Facility (RSDF), a form of detention that restricts detainees’ contact with the outside world.

In her message, Cheng Lei reflects on her life in Australia and the memories she cherishes, contrasting them with the stark reality of her prison experience. She shares her yearning for the Australian people, the diverse landscapes, and even the humor that she associates with her Australian upbringing.

International attention

Cheng Lei’s case has garnered international attention, with concerns raised about her treatment and the allegations against her. Her partner, Nick Coyle, reveals that she has been able to correspond with her children and parents through letters since leaving the RSDF system. However, the toll of separation from her family is evident in her words.

The Australian government has advocated for Cheng Lei’s rights and humane treatment in accordance with international norms. The Chinese Embassy in Canberra stressed that China adheres to the rule of law and is willing to provide assistance within the bounds of legal provisions.

Cheng Lei’s case highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations between China and Australia, with hopes that a resolution will lead to improved bilateral engagement.