Exclusive | Trapped Australia-based academic fears long forced stay in China
Australian permanent resident anxious to return to work at Sydney university but may have to stay for days
An Australia-based professor barred from leaving China after a research trip said on Monday he was very concerned and did not know when he could leave.
Feng Chongyi, an associate professor at the University of Technology Sydney, was stopped from boarding a flight to Sydney at Guangzhou’s international airport on Friday morning.
“I have no idea whatsoever when I can leave China. It seems I need to stay a couple of more days or even longer, I am not optimistic and very concerned,” Feng said. “I am very anxious to return to my work and normal life.
“I am extremely grateful for all the support from all concerned parties who have extended warm support and solidarity,” Feng said, adding that he was in good physical and mental shape.
Feng’s case has again drawn attention to a national crackdown on human rights activists and lawyers since July 2015, known as the 709 crackdown.
Feng, head of China studies at UTS for 11 years, arrived on the mainland about three weeks ago to research the crackdown.