Cheng Lei on China and Freedom

When journalist Cheng Lei was detained by Chinese state security agents, she thought she would be freed within the week. Instead, she was held on absurd espionage charges in isolated conditions for more than three years.

A veteran business journalist, the Chinese-born Australian mother of two young children was at the pinnacle of her career anchoring China’s Global Business TV show, when eight words texted to a friend led to devastating consequences.

She survived cruel interrogations, a 90 minute show-trial and only once heard the voices of her children.

Cheng Lei-A Memoir of Freedom is a powerful meditation on hope, freedom and the power of the human spirit; bravery in the face of cruelty and pettiness; the consolations of letters, music and books; and how unexpected friendships and the love of family can unlock the courage we all have within us to prevail.

Cheng Lei is an Australian-Chinese journalist who has worked for both Western and Chinese media. She was born in China but grew up in Australia from the age of ten. At the tensest point in Australia–China relations, she was detained for supplying ‘state secrets to overseas organisations’ and was incarcerated in Beijing by China’s Ministry of State Security for three years and two months. Australian diplomatic efforts secured her release, and she was reunited with her family in October 2023. Lei is currently a presenter for Sky News and received the Press Freedom Award from the Australian Press Council.

Join us for this free event at the Sydney Writers Festival on Friday 23 May at 1pm.