The partner of detained Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei has accused Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian of lying when he said the journalist had access to her family.
Speaking at Australia’s National Press Club on Aug. 10, Xiao said the basic rights of Australian citizens detained in China were protected.
“There are a couple of Australian citizens in China. They are under custody according Chinese rules and laws,” Xiao said. “Their basic rights are well protected. Don’t worry about that.”
The ambassador said there were times when those custody were not accessible to relatives because of the pandemic, but the situation had changed….