The detention of Chinese-born Australian journalist Cheng Lei has highlighted the risk to foreign nationals from so-called “hostage diplomacy” and Beijing’s attitude towards dual nationals of Chinese descent, observers have warned.
Cheng, who worked as a TV anchor for Chinese state media, has been held for more than a month and is accused of “criminal activity endangering China’s national security”, according to the country’s foreign ministry.
She joins dissident Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun who was charged with espionage in March after more than a year in custody – an indictment that prompted an official protest from Australia. Yang’s wife, an Australian permanent resident, has been barred from leaving China.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3102273/detained-australian-journalists-case-shines-fresh-spotlight
