CCP Continuing Crackdown On Foreign Media: Two Australian Journalists Flee China Amid Diplomatic Standoff  

The last two Australian journalists working in China were evacuated amid an escalating diplomatic standoff between the two nations, BBC reported

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Bill Birtles and the Australian Financial Review's Mike Smith landed in Sydney today (Sep 8)

ABC reported that the duo was forced to take refuge in Australian diplomatic offices for five days after Chinese police visited their homes and informed them that they would have subject to questioning under the draconian national security laws of the communist state.

Birtles was forced to shelter in Australia's Embassy in Beijing, while Smith took refuge in Australia's Shanghai consulate as diplomats negotiated with Chinese officials to provide them safe passage to leave the country.

At least seven police officers reportedly arrived at Birtles' apartment at midnight last Wednesday as he was holding farewell drinks with friends and colleagues. He was informed that he is banned from leaving the country, and that he would be contacted the next day to organise a time to be questioned over a "national security case".

After an agreement was reached between Australian and Chinese officials, Birtles was questioned by Chinese authorities on Sunday, accompanied by Australia's ambassador to China Graham Fletcher.

AFR correspondent Smith was subjected to questioning on Monday evening, after sheltering in the Australian consulate in Shanghai.

"It's very disappointing to have to leave under those circumstances," Birtles said in Sydney.

"It's a relief to be back in the country with genuine rule of law. But this was a whirlwind and it's not a particularly good experience."

The AFR's editors, Michael Stutchbury and Paul Bailey, said they were glad both journalists were safe.

"This incident targeting two journalists, who were going about their normal reporting duties, is both regrettable and disturbing and is not in the interests of a co-operative relationship between Australia and China," they said in a joint statement.

Earlier this month, an Australian journalist Cheng Lei, an anchor for a business show on the state-controlled China Global Television Network, was detained by authorities in Beijing.

The diplomatic relations between Australia and China has deteriorated sharply over the last few months.

Australia has been at the receiving end of Chinese backlash ever since the Scott Morrison-led government began pushing for a global investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 virus back in April.

Australia’s decision to join other nations in banning Huawei from its 5G network, its criticisms of the crackdown on Hong Kong and Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea has also incurred Beijing’s wrath.

Australia also warned its citizens they may be at increased risk of arbitrary detention in mainland China.

China has issued a travel advisory to its international students and citizens not to travel to Australia because they could encounter racism. It also slapped tariffs on Australian barley, citing dumping, and banned imports from some abattoirs over alleged compliance issues.