The final two Australian correspondents working in China have been rushed out of the country after police demanded interviews from them, in a situation described as 'regrettable and disturbing'.
According to the ABC, Australian diplomats warned Mr Birtles that he should leave China last week, prompting the ABC to organise flights for last Thursday.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Tuesday confirmed the pair received consular support to assist their return home, and said the current travel advice for China - which warns that Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention - had not changed. "If I was an Australian journalist working in China right now I would be very concerned that there is going to be a knock on my door."
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