Cheng Lei’s partner concerned for health of Australian journalist detained in China since 2020

Cheng Lei, mother of two and former anchor at state broadcaster CGTN, was formally arrested in February 2021 and charged with ‘supplying state secrets overseas’

Nick Coyle told Sky News Australia he was concerned about a ‘range of health issues’ his partner faced in prison, which were exacerbated by food restrictions

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Published: 2:32pm, 2 Jun 2022Updated: 2:40pm, 2 Jun 2022

The partner of Chinese-Australian journalist Cheng Lei – detained by Beijing authorities since August 2020 – said he has serious concerns about her declining health behind bars in an interview aired on Thursday.

Cheng, a mother of two and former anchor at Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, was formally arrested in February 2021, when she was charged with “supplying state secrets overseas”.

Nick Coyle, described by Sky News Australia as Cheng’s long-time boyfriend, said he was concerned about a “range of health issues” his partner faced in prison, which were exacerbated by food restrictions.

He said monthly consular visits between Cheng and Australian officials had also been suspended because of China’s strict Covid-19 protocols.

Cheng was tried secretly in March behind closed doors, with even Australia’s ambassador to China, Graham Fletcher, blocked from entering the court to observe proceedings.