
Photo: BBC
Australian Journalists Flee China Amid Diplomatic Tussle
Two Australian journalists, Bill Birtles and Michael Smith flew home after Australia-China diplomatic conditions worsened. Chinese authorities questioned them about Cheng Lei- Australian journalist, who is detained since a month. Amid global criticism for gagging journalists, China called the questioning legitimate on national security grounds. Apparently, ties bittered after Canberra backed an international investigation against the origin of pandemic. 19 foreign journalists were forced to leave China this year.