There is a continuous rise in the raids on Chinese journalists located in Australia. The damage between the relationship o the two countries is emerging according to state news agency Xinhua. Earlier this week, Global Times, China’s state-backed tabloid, reported an issue regarding the Australian authorities. The report stated that the Australian authorities raided the homes of four Chinese journalists residing in the country last June 2020.
“This gross, willful, and unreasonable act was utterly appalling. It fully exposes the Cold-War mentality and political prejudice of some Australian departments and officials. What they have done not only seriously harms the reputation and image of Chinese media, but also seriously interferes with the normal people-to-people exchanges between China and Australia.”
Spokesperson from Xinhua
Last Thursday, Zhao Lijian, who is the foreign ministry spokesman, mentioned that the activities executed by Australia “blatantly violates the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese journalists there and caused severe harm to the physical and mental health of the journalists and their families.” Following this event, Australia’s trade minister responded to the reports last Friday, arguing that security agencies had acted following the law.
The relationship between both China and Australia in terms of trade is suffering from increased strain. Moreover, with the addition of the issue, a report that two Australian journalists exited from China even coincided. According to reports, the pair of journalists returned home with the aid of consular officials.
The Australian journalists shared that they were visited and questioned by China’s state security in their Beijing and Shanghai residences, respectively. In addition to these reports, another Australian citizen named Cheng Lei was detained by Chinese authorities last August 2020. Cheng Lei is a Chinese television anchor.
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