October 12, 2023
Australian journalist Cheng Lei has returned to her home inMelbourne after being detained for years in China.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that he had welcomed Cheng home.
"We ask that her privacy and that of her family be respected," hesaid in a press conference in Melbourne.
"(She) has been reunited with her two children and her family. She was metat the airport by the Foreign Minister Penny Wong." Cheng Lei was snuckout of China on a commercial flight to Melbourne, it can be revealed,accompanied by Australian Ambassador to Beijing Graham Fletcher.
It is understood that her partner, Nick Coyle, flew to Melbourne today fromPapua New Guinea to be reunited with her.
Mr Albanese said her release to Australia follows the end of judicial processesin China.
"This is something that we have advocated for a long period of time and Ipay tribute to all who have made representations (for her)," he said.
"I was pleased to meet with President Xi on the sidelines of the G20Summit in Bali last November." In powerful photos released by thegovernment on Wednesday afternoon documenting her return, an emotional Cheng isseen hugging Foreign Minister Penny Wong and meeting with Mr Fletcher.
Mr Fletcher was part of the team who worked publicly and behind the scenes tosecure her release.
Cheng was all smiles as she sat with Ms Wong at the airport discussing herjourney from a prison cell to freedom in Australia.
Ms Wong also watched on as Cheng called loved ones with the good news of herrelease and safe return to Australia.
She was held captive in a Chinese prison since 2020, leaving behind her twoyoung children and her partner in Australia.
Australian academic Yang Hengjun remains captive in China.
"When I spoke with her she was delighted to be back in Melbourne," MrAlbanese said. "We continue to advocate for Dr Yang's rights, interestsand wellbeing." Supporters of Mr Yang welcomed news of Cheng's release.
But a friend close to Mr Yang said there remained no sign his case wasimproving.
The deadline for delivering a verdict for Mr Yang was recently extended toJanuary next year, leaving him in legal limbo as what his supporters describeas an "Australian political prisoner in China".
His friend said Mr Yang's kidney health concerns remain serious and there hadbeen no positive response to requests for transparency or treatment.
Mr Albanese reiterated that he will visit China this year a sign therelationship between the two nations is thawing. "It will be this year. Weare finalising those details. My diary is often quite a complex exercise and wewill find a mutually agreeable time to confirm and we will travel there andthat will be a good thing," he said.
"That engagement is a good thing, dialogue is a good thing to occur."Opposition home affairs spokesman Senator James Paterson said it was wonderfulnews that Cheng Lei had finally been freed and could now be reunited with herfamily.
"We continue to hope for the freedom of Yang Hengjun, who remains unjustlydetained in China," he said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton thanked everyone who had "workedtirelessly" for years on Cheng's case.
