Cheng Lei, an Australian anchor for Chinese Communist Party-run media outlet China Global Television Network, has been detained by Chinese officials for weeks despite no apparent charge. Currently being held under “residential surveillance at a designated location,” Cheng’s arrest comes amidst tensions between Australia and China which have dramatically increased following COVID-19. After Australian officials demanded an inquiry into the source of the virus, the Chinese Communist Party sought retribution by placing tariffs on agricultural imports, halting purchases of Australian beef, and cracking down on imports including wine. Tensions between the two countries, however, had been souring since at least
