Cheng Lei: Chinese officials appear to block freed journalist from view in Canberra

Cheng Lei, a journalist who was imprisoned in China for three years, recently attended a bilateral event in Canberra, Australia. However, it appears that Chinese officials attempted to block her from view during the event. Cheng Lei, an Australian reporter, was invited to attend a bilateral event in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. This event was an opportunity for diplomatic engagement and dialogue between China and Australia. However, it seems that the Chinese officials present at the event went to great lengths to prevent Cheng Lei from receiving any public attention. The incident raises concerns about the state of press freedom and transparency in China. Cheng Lei's imprisonment in China for three years already highlighted the challenges faced by journalists in the country. This latest incident indicates that even after her release, she is still being subjected to restrictions and attempts to stifle her voice. During the event, which was presumably open to the press and public, the Chinese officials present seemed determined to block Cheng Lei from the view of cameras and attendees. It is unclear why they took such measures, but it is possible that they did not want her presence to overshadow the discussions or draw attention to her own experiences. Cheng Lei's case has attracted international attention and condemnation. She was arrested in August 2020 and charged with illegally supplying state secrets overseas. However, the details of her case and the evidence against her were never made public, raising concerns about the lack of due process and transparency in her trial. The Chinese government has been criticized for its treatment