The Australian Financial Review's Michael Smith, left, and the ABC's Bill Birtles flew out of Shanghai on Monday night. Previous NextThe ABC and the Australian Financial Review have rushed their correspondents out of China after police demanded interviews with both journalists, resulting in an extraordinary diplomatic standoff. Subsequent advice prompted the ABC to organize flights back to Australia for Birtles. He stayed in the Beijing diplomatic compound for the next few days, where he was contacted by Chinese officials demanding an interview. "The Australian Government continues to provide consular support to Australian citizens detained in China, including Ms Cheng Lei."

Source: The Standard September 08, 2020 02:03 UTC