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.”