Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters Cheng was “elated” to be back home and was met at the airport by Foreign Minister Penny Wong earlier today.
“I was able to have a conversation with an Australian citizen, Cheng Lei, who has arrived safely here in Melbourne and has been reunited with her two children and her family,” Albanese said.
“Her return brings an end to a very difficult few years for Ms Cheng and her family.
“The government has been seeking this for a long period of time and her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians.
“Our focus remains on her interests and welfare and we are asking for her privacy and that of her family be respected at this time as she adjusts to what has obviously been a very difficult and traumatic period for her in her life.”
Lei, a business anchor for China’s state broadcaster CGTN and mother of two, was accused of illegally supplying state secrets, which she denied.
Read Related Also: Matchmaker Tells Us Frances Bean Cobain & Riley Hawk Share More Than Famous Dads
She was detained over the charges in August 2020.
Albanese said the Australian government had been seeking Cheng’s return since she was detained.
“We know that this has been the subject of ongoing discussions between the Australian and Chinese governments and we have continued to make representations on behalf of Australian citizens,” he said.
“Her matter was concluded through the legal processes in China.
“This is something that we have advocated for for a long period of time and I think that’s certainly I pay tribute to all who have made representations.”
