Supporters of detained Australians Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun hope that improved ties with China will help their cases, although no immediate breakthrough is expected.
Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Xi Jinping has raised hopes that improved ties with Beijing will pave the way for negotiations to free two Australians detained in China on national security charges.and writer Yang Hengjun said on Wednesday they were optimistic that the Chinese authorities may now be more open to talks about securing their freedom.on Tuesday, the talks were not expected to lead to any immediate action.
Beijing has accused Ms Cheng of providing state secrets to a foreign country, but details of the accusations have never been made clear.was detained at Guangzhou’s international airport in January 2019 while visiting China. The scholar and novelist has also been tried for espionage. “I will be extremely disappointed if the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister agree to improve trade relations without insisting on the release of hostages,” Mr Feng said.
China has repeatedly said the detained Australians are being treated in accordance with Chinese law. Australian diplomats were denied access to their trials in Beijing.
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