A high-profile Australian television anchor for the Chinese Government's English news channel, CGTN, has been detained in Beijing in a highly sensitive case posing a fresh challenge to Australia-China relations.
Ms Cheng has not been charged but is being held under what is called "residential surveillance at a designated location"
"The Australian Government has been informed that an Australian citizen, Ms Cheng Lei, has been detained in China," the statement said."Australian officials had an initial consular visit with Ms Cheng at a detention facility via video link on 27th of August and will continue to provide assistance and support to her and her family."
It is a form of detention in which investigators can imprison and question a suspect for up to six months while cutting them off from lawyers and the outside world — all before they have even been formally arrested.Ms Cheng's supporters are now arranging legal representation for her. "We are in close consultation with DFAT and doing everything we can as a family to support Cheng Lei.
She is also well known in the Australian community in Beijing because she had previously emceed various events for business associations and for the Australian embassy.
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