[1/3]Australian journalist Ching Li poses for a selfie at an undisclosed location in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on August 11, 2023. Nicholas Coyle / Posted via Reuters
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australian journalist Ching Li, who is being held in China on national security charges, described what it feels like to stand in the sun for only 10 hours a year in a “love letter” to her country.
Cheng, 48, was a business TV presenter for Chinese state television when she was detained in August 2020 for allegedly sharing state secrets with another country.
Her first public statement since her arrest came in what she described as a “love letter to 25 million people” dictated to consulate staff during a visit and released by her partner.
She wrote, “In my cell, sunlight shines through the window, but I can only stand in it 10 hours a year.”
“I haven’t seen a tree in three years. I relive every bush trail, river, lake, and beach with swims, picnics, and psychedelic sunsets. I secretly understand the names of the places I’ve been and their drives.”
Cheng has yet to receive a verdict after facing trial more than a year ago in a closed court in Beijing. Exact details of her alleged crimes have not been made public.
The Australian government has repeatedly raised concerns about her detention, which came as China expanded its ban on Australian exports amid a diplomatic row that has gradually eased.
China, which has said Canberra should respect Beijing’s judicial sovereignty, lifted sanctions on Australian barley, raising expectations that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese may accept an invitation to visit Beijing this year.
There is public pressure on his government to secure Qing’s release.
Albanese said on Sunday that Barley’s decision was positive but wanted to “remove other obstacles … including the detention of Australians, including Cheng Li”.
Cheng’s partner, Nick Quayle, told Reuters: “Releasing Li and bringing her back with her children would greatly improve the atmosphere in terms of bilateral relations, both from an Australian and international perspective… at a time when both countries are making efforts to improve relations.”
Coyle was Chairman of the China Australian Business Council for nine years until he left Beijing in 2022.
Cheng, who moved to Australia at the age of 10, remembers growing up in a multicultural country.
Her prison bed is ventilated once a year for two hours in the sun, and returns warm. “I wrapped myself in Donna’s quilt and pretended to be hugged by my family,” she wrote.
The letter ends with, “Most of all, I miss my children.” They are 11 and 14 years old, and live in Australia with their grandmother.
In a statement Friday, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Cheng’s message to the public “demonstrates her deep love for our country.”
“All Australians would like to see her reunited with her children. Australia has consistently stood up for Ms Cheng, demanding that basic standards of fairness, procedural fairness and humane treatment of Ms Cheng be met,” Wong said.
(Reporting by Kirsty Needham). Editing by John Stonestreet and Stephen Coates
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