Ms Cheng Lei

Media statement
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister
Minister for Foreign Affairs

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We are pleased to confirm that Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei has arrived safely home in Australia and has been reunited with her family, after more than three years of detention in China.

The Australian Government has been seeking Ms Cheng’s return since she was detained in August, 2020.

Her return will be warmly welcomed not just by her family and friends but by all Australians.

Her release follows the completion of legal processes in China.

The Australian Government will continue to provide whatever consular support Ms Cheng and her family require. 

As Ms Cheng reunites with her family, we ask that media respect her family’s wishes for privacy.