Cheng Lei, Australian Journalist, Released from Chinese Detention

Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist who was detained in China for over three years on charges of espionage, has been released and has returned home to Australia. Cheng, who was born in China but emigrated to Australia, worked as a reporter covering China for foreign and domestic audiences before being detained in 2020. Her release comes as Australia seeks to improve relations with China, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese planning a visit to China this year, the first by an Australian leader in seven years.