Australian Journalists Are Evacuated From China Over Security Worries

The Australian Financial Review’s Michael Smith and the ABC’s Bill Birtles flew out of Shanghai on Monday night. They left China after being questioned by security officials. Photograph: ABC

ABC News Online: Australian correspondents Bill Birtles and Mike Smith pulled out of China after five-day diplomatic standoff over national security case

The 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.

Bill Birtles, the ABC's correspondent based in Beijing, and Mike Smith, the AFR's correspondent based in Shanghai, boarded a flight to Sydney last night after the pair were questioned separately by China's Ministry of State security.

Birtles had spent four days sheltering in Australia's Embassy in Beijing, while Smith took refuge in Australia's Shanghai consulate as diplomats negotiated with Chinese officials to allow them to safely leave the country.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: China is becoming a very inhospitable place for foreigners. Before the pandemic I was warning my contacts who do business in China that you are doing it at your own risk. Today .... doubly so.

More News On Australian Journalists Being Evacuated From China

Australian journalists evacuated from China over security worries -- France 24
Australian journalists flown out of China 'amid diplomatic standoff' -- BBC
Two Australian journalists from ABC and AFR pulled out of China after embassy warnings -- The Guardian
Australian journalists flee China over 'disturbing' pressure -- DW
Australian media pull journalists from China over safety concerns -- Al Jazeera

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/3icx2tF