Chinese state media lash out at Australia over raids on Chinese journalists
- China News Service says the action violated the rights of the reporters and harmed their well-being
- Australia’s trade minister says the security agencies involved acted according to the law
China News Service said on Saturday that the raids “grossly violated the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese media reporters stationed in Australia, and caused serious damage to the physical and mental health of journalists and their families”.
That followed similar comments by state news agency Xinhua, which said late on Friday that the actions taken by Australian authorities were “utterly appalling” and damaged relations between the two countries.
China’s state-backed tabloid Global Times reported earlier this week that Australian authorities raided the homes of four Chinese journalists residing in the country in June.
“This gross, imperious and unreasonable act was utterly appalling. It fully exposes the Cold War mentality and political prejudice of some Australian departments and officials,” a Xinhua spokesperson said, according to the agency.
“What they have done not only seriously harms the reputation and image of Chinese media, but also seriously interferes with the normal people-to-people exchanges between China and Australia.”
Australia’s trade minister on Friday responded to the reports, saying that security agencies had acted in accordance with the law.
01:24
China accuses Australia of ‘barbaric’ raids of journalists’ homes
Relations between the two countries have become increasingly fraught over a host of issues ranging from Australian accusations of Chinese meddling in domestic affairs to trade disputes and calls by Canberra for an international inquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus.
The pair returned home with the help of consular officials after China’s state security visited their homes in Beijing and Shanghai and questioned them.
Beijing earlier said the Australian embassy in China obstructed law enforcement when it sheltered the two journalists.
The journalists sheltered in the embassy in Beijing and the consulate in Shanghai for several days while diplomats negotiated with Chinese officials to allow them to leave.
“The Australian embassy in China gave shelter to the relevant journalists [allowing them to] avoid China’s investigation. This was blatant obstruction and interference in China’s normal law enforcement,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian saID on Thursday.
03:39
Australia’s last two accredited journalists in mainland China evacuated as diplomatic ties worsen
The pair were eventually questioned by China’s state security ministry prior to their departure.
Zhao said these actions went beyond the scope of consular services and the Australian side must give an explanation.
China’s foreign ministry has maintained that the questioning of the journalists was part of normal law enforcement.
