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 Janine Rose
 Mail21

Australian journalists flown out

of China 'amid diplomatic
standoff'

BBC•September 8, 2020
Two Australian news outlets have removed their reporters from China over
what they say is a diplomatic standoff.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Bill Birtles and the Australian
Financial Review's Mike Smith landed in Sydney on Tuesday.
Chinese authorities questioned both men before their departure. The ABC
reported Birtles was "not asked about his reporting or conduct in China".
Relations between Australia and China have deteriorated in recent years.
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said consular officials had
provided support to the journalists.
"Our embassy in Beijing and consulate-general in Shanghai engaged with
Chinese government authorities to ensure their wellbeing and return to
Australia," she said in a statement on Tuesday.
The AFR reported that Chinese authorities had questioned the journalists
about Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist for Chinese state media who has
been detained since last month.

 Who is the Australian TV anchor detained by China?

What is known?

The ABC reported that Australian diplomats advised Birtles and ABC
management last week that he should leave China. He was then booked on
a flight due to leave Beijing last Thursday.
But the situation escalated last Wednesday at midnight when seven Chinese
police officers visited the reporter's apartment as he held farewell drinks
with friends, the ABC reported.
The officers told Birtles he could not leave the country and would later be
questioned over a "national security case", the report said.
He immediately contacted Australian consular officials, who collected him
and took him to the Australian embassy, where he spent the next four days.

 Australian held in China 'will fight to the end'

During that time, he was interviewed by Chinese police in the presence of
Australia's ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher.
 Smith, who is based in Shanghai, also received a visit by police - prompting
him to go to the Australian consulate there. Both men were questioned over
Ms Lei, the AFR reported.
Story continues
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