China’s Censorship Tactics On Display at Australian Media Event The incident involving Chinese officials obstructing the view of journalist Cheng Lei at a recent media event in Australia has highlighted Beijing’s uneasy relationship with press freedom. Lei, a former Chinese state television anchor who now works for Sky News, attended the signing ceremony between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a member of the working press. However, a Chinese embassy official moved in front of her, blocking her view and attempting to prevent her from being filmed. Despite requests from Australian officials, the embassy official refused to move, prompting a fellow journalist to offer Lei to swap seats. She was then escorted away by Australian officials. Lei speculated that the officials were trying to prevent her from appearing in the same shot as Chinese ministers. “The only audience that matters is the domestic audience, and maybe an audience of one… Xi Jinping,” she said. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of discussions about “mutual respect” between the two nations. Albanese claimed not to have witnessed the obstruction, while Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham condemned it as counterproductive and a reminder of the stark contrast in values between Australia and China. Lei’s experience highlights the ongoing challenges faced by foreign journalists in China. While she is now enjoying her freedom, another Australian, writer Yang Hengjun, remains imprisoned in a Chinese jail on national security charges. His supporters have expressed concerns about his deteriorating health. The Chinese embassy has been contacted for comment on the incident involving Cheng Lei.