The release of Gershkovich and his fellow hostage highlights the way some authoritarian regimes have cynically used such people as pawns in geopolitical manoeuvres.
Articles on Cheng Lei
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The Chinese media, however, hails a ‘spring blossom’ in China’s relations with Australia as premier’s visit concludes.
Cheng was clearly a hostage in international relations. Releasing her now signals China’s intent to improve Australia-China relations.
Cheng Lei’s release comes after three years of detainment and continued representations by Australia, including by the prime minister himself.
The outcome for the Australian citizen cannot be viewed separately from the continued downward spiral of Australia-China relations.
There’s a sizeable gap between Western perceptions of the role of journalists in democratic societies and China’s view that media should serve the interests of the state.
With scant details of the reasons for the news anchor’s arrest, the future looks grim for Cheng Lei with Beijing signalling its intent for a full-scale criminal investigation.
As diplomatic relations worsened in recent years, people-to-people ties remained strong. Now, however, it appears even academics and journalists are becoming ‘pawns’ in a great diplomatic tussle.
Covering China has become an increasingly challenging task, but now foreign journalists like Australians Bill Birtles and Mike Smith are being expelled from the country at an alarming rate.
Top contributors
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Tony Walker AM is a Friend of The Conversation.
Director, La Trobe University
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Head of analysis, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney
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Director, China Studies Centre, Professor of Chinese Politics, University of Sydney
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Full Professor in Journalism, Dublin City University
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Director and Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI), University of Technology Sydney
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Industry Fellow, Griffith University