Anthony Albanese says a letter from Ms Cheng, who has been detained in China for three years, is 'moving', but the relationship with China shouldn't become 'transactional'.
abc.net.au/news/cheng-lei-release-not-a-condition-for-pm-china-visit/102721514The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a letter from detained Australian Cheng Lei is "moving", but her release from detention won't be a condition on him visiting Beijing.In an open letter to Australians, she said that she misses things like sunshine and nature
Mr Albanese said he will continue to raise her case but warned the relationship with China shouldn't become "transactional"."This issue should be resolved; this should be resolved by Cheng Lei not being kept in detention in the way that she has." The opposition's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham said progress needs to be made on securing the release of detained Australians, like Ms Cheng and Australian writer Yang Hengjun, before any prime ministerial visit.
Mr Albanese said the issue of detained Australians was being raised "all the time" and the government would "always stand up for the interests of Australian citizens".On Thursday China lifted a pandemic-era ban on large tours to dozens of countries including Australia and a week ago it dropped the 80 per cent tariffs on Australian barley, one part of a long running trade war.
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