Australian reporters removed from China due to diplomatic standoff

Two Australian reporters leave China and have returned to Sydney amid diplomatic tensions today.

Bill Birtles from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Mike Smith from the Australian Financial Review (AFR) were removed after Chinese authorities questioned them.

The pair were the only reporters for Australian media in China.

The ABC said that Mr Birtles was not questioned "about his reporting or conduct in China".

The AFR stated that the journalists were questioned about Cheng Lei, an Australian journalist for Chinese state media, that has been detained for a month.

According to Australian officials, Ms Lei is being held for unknown reasons in a secret location.

Both were allowed to leave China in return for being interviewed by police and questioned over a "national security case", an ABC report revealed.

Michael Stutchbury and Paul Bailey, editors of the AFR, said: "This incident targeting two journalists, who were going about their normal reporting duties, is both regrettable and disturbing and is not in the interests of a co-operative relationship between Australia and China,"

Relations between the two countries has been restrained over recent years due to accusations that China interfered in Australian society.

Despite being traditional trade partners, Beijing has imposed recent restrictions against Australia exporting things like wine, barley and beef. Moreover, Chinese tourists and students have been warned about racism in Australia.

On the other hand, Australia's capital has raised concerns about violations of human rights in areas such as Xinjiang and Hong Kong. Australians being held in China are being urged to be released. Detainees such as Yang Hengjun, who is an activist, that has been detained for 19 months without a trial.