Australian journalist held in Chinese detention with no near end date in sight
<p><span>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.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Birmingham told </span><em>Today</em><span> that the Federal Government is offering consular support to Cheng and her family.</span><br /><br /><span>"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.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Birmingham confirmed the Federal Government had been made formally aware of her being in detention by authorities on August 14.</span><br /><br /><span>However they have not revealed why the television anchor with Chinese state-run channel CGTN was being held.</span><br /><br /><span>"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.</span><br /><br /><span>Australian consular officials spoke with Cheng at the detention facility via video link last Thursday.</span><br /><br /><span>The detention is likely to further the strain on the already fraught relationship between Canberra and Beijing.</span><br /><br /><span>The communist state is now investigating Australian wine makers over what it calls fair trading practices.</span><br /><br /><span>However Mr Birmingham has said that Australia's values "are not for sale".</span></p>
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<p><em>Trade Minister Simon Birmingham</em><br /><br /><span>"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."</span><br /><br /><span>He said Australia desired to have a "constructive relationship" with China.</span><br /><br /><span>"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."</span><br /><br /><span>Cheng has not been charged with any crime but is under "residential surveillance at a designated location" in Beijing, the <em>ABC</em> has reported.</span><br /><br /><span>Residential surveillance is essentially detention without legal access.</span><br /><br /><span>It can last up to six months before a suspect is formally arrested or charged.</span><br /><br /><span>"We ask that you respect that process and understand there will be no further comment at this time,” authorities have stated.</span><br /><br /><span>Cheng has been working with <em>CGTN</em> since 2012.</span><br /><br /><span>She has reported on Asian affairs in China since 2002.</span><br /><br /><span>She has reported major Chinese events including Beijing's 2008 Olympics and Shanghai's 2010 World Expo.</span></p>
