Australian journalist held in Chinese detention with no near end date in sight
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has said that the reasons behind detaining high-profile Australian journalist Cheng Lei in Beijing have not been made clear by Chinese authorities.
Mr Birmingham told Today that the Federal Government is offering consular support to Cheng and her family.
"We are doing everything we can in providing her and her family with assistance through what is no doubt a difficult time for them,” he said.
Mr Birmingham confirmed the Federal Government had been made formally aware of her being in detention by authorities on August 14.
However they have not revealed why the television anchor with Chinese state-run channel CGTN was being held.
"But we will continue to work to ensure that the right assistance is provided to give her and her family every support," Mr Birmingham said.
Australian consular officials spoke with Cheng at the detention facility via video link last Thursday.
The detention is likely to further the strain on the already fraught relationship between Canberra and Beijing.
The communist state is now investigating Australian wine makers over what it calls fair trading practices.
However Mr Birmingham has said that Australia's values "are not for sale".
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham
"Our government has been very clear that our values are not for sale. We will always defend our interests and Australia's security interests in particular."
He said Australia desired to have a "constructive relationship" with China.
"We have different systems of government. We bring different approaches to those systems of government but we respect their sovereignty and we simply ask for that to be reciprocated."
Cheng has not been charged with any crime but is under "residential surveillance at a designated location" in Beijing, the ABC has reported.
Residential surveillance is essentially detention without legal access.
It can last up to six months before a suspect is formally arrested or charged.
"We ask that you respect that process and understand there will be no further comment at this time,” authorities have stated.
Cheng has been working with CGTN since 2012.
She has reported on Asian affairs in China since 2002.
She has reported major Chinese events including Beijing's 2008 Olympics and Shanghai's 2010 World Expo.