Australian-Chinese Journalist, Cheng Lei, has been detained in China for nearly two years, unable to contact her family
Cheng was working as an anchor for Chinese state TV broadcaster CGTN, when she was arrested on national security grounds.
Authorities are claiming she “illegally supplied state secrets overseas,” although Cheng worked as a business Journalist, with no affiliation to politics.
Cheng, her family, friends and colleagues all firmly deny the “spying” charges. Two years on, and no further details about the charges have been revealed to Cheng’s family or the Australian Government.
The Australian Government has expressed its concern for her wellbeing and are calling for greater transparency. Top Ministers are pleading for Cheng to be given “basic standards of justice”.
Calls for justice are good, but is it enough?
Calls for justice and humane treatment of Cheng are adequate, but is it enough for an Australian citizen?
Yaqiu Wang from Human Rights Watch doesn’t think so. Wang believes the Australian Government has allowed China to become a bully.
“Had the Australian Government spoken more forcefully… more critically of the Chinese Government’s behaviour… Maybe now, we would see a Chinese Government that is different.”
China’s judicial system has a conviction rate of more than 99% and national security trials are often conducted in secret.
46-Year-Old Cheng was the subject of a closed trial, with little revealed about the details of the charges. This has left many questioning the validity of a process that conducted in secret.
Political pawn
Cheng’s arrest came at a time when relations between China and Australia were at an all time low. She was detained amid worsening diplomatic relations, following Australia probing the origins of the coronavirus.
China claims Cheng’s detention is fair and just and is calling for other countries to respect their legal system.
However, it’s difficult to consider that Cheng isn’t part of a much broader political motive. It’s most likely a way for the Chinese Government to assert its international dominance over countries that hold it accountable in any way.
Tomorrow is the grim two-year anniversary of Australian journalist Cheng Lei's detention in Beijing. Her two young children haven't heard their mom's voice or given her a hug ever since. @hrw calls for the Albanese government to press for her release. pic.twitter.com/ayn398QkUk
Cheng was a respected Journalist, a loving mother of two young children and a loyal friend and partner. Unfortunately, the charges might be a matter of her being in the wrong country, at the wrong time.
“It’s a very convenient way for the Chinese Government to leverage you [Journalist] for their political purpose”
Following Cheng’s imprisonment, many Journalists fled the country in fear of their own safety. Therefore, ultimately there’s a lack of foreign, transparent and diverse knowledge about what is happening in the country.
Many Journalists most likely won’t travel back to China, even when they’re allowed to, because of the risk it poses to their life.
In addition to this, the question remains whether China even wants foreign Journalists back in the country.
So what does this mean for Journalism abroad and holding communist countries, like China, to account?
A valid issue, most world leaders are aware of.
Unintended consequences
China’s motive behind detaining Cheng might have been to declare its power over others. However, in turn, it might have many unintended consequences in the long run.
China’s economy is already struggling and its people are hurting financially. What was once a bustling financial hub, is now a place millions of foreigners are frightened of being associated with.
What does this mean for the future of its economy, international relations and its mission to be the perfect middle class society?
