TV Anchor Cheng Lei Sends Message from Detention, Expressing Longing for Family and Australia
Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei, who has been detained in China for nearly three years, shared a rare message stating that she misses her family and her life in Australia. In a message dictated to diplomatic officers and released by her partner Nick Coyle on the X account FreeChengLei, Cheng expressed her longing for the sun, which she can only experience for 10 hours a year in her cell.
“I miss the sun. In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year,” Cheng’s message said. Coyle confirmed that the message was shared with him by diplomatic officers. Cheng further expressed her disbelief that she used to avoid the sun while living in Australia.
Describing her message as a “love letter” to Australia, Cheng mentioned that she hasn’t seen a tree in three years. The former business anchor for China’s state broadcaster CGTN and a mother of two is currently accused of illegally supplying state secrets overseas, a charge that carries a potential sentence of five years to life in prison.
Cheng was taken into custody on August 13, 2020, by China’s Ministry of State Security while on her way to work. Chinese authorities have yet to disclose specific details about the accusations against Cheng. The court in China has repeatedly delayed delivering a verdict, leaving Cheng in custody and her loved ones in uncertainty about her fate.
In her heartfelt letter released on Thursday, Cheng fondly recalled her life in Australia, expressing her longing for the Australian people. She mentioned her first camping experience with her family, encounters with wildlife, and the beauty of nature in Australia, including sea salt swirling in her ears and the symphony of the bush.
Cheng concluded her message by stating, “Most of all I miss my children.” Coyle revealed that he is only able to communicate with Cheng after her monthly consular visits.