A Beijing court is holding a closed-door hearing for former CGTN journalist Cheng Lei.
A Beijing court is holding a closed-door trial for Australian journalist and former TV anchor Cheng Lei, in a high-profile diplomatic case.
Canberra has repeatedly raised concerns over her detention and has called for "basic standards of justice" to be met.Speaking to reporters outside of the courtroom on Thursday, Australia's ambassador to China Graham Fletcher said he and other Australian officials had been denied entry into the hearing. Chinese courts often bar outsiders from trials deemed as politically sensitive.
A family statement released to Reuters on Wednesday said her children and elderly parents "miss her immensely and sincerely hope to reunite with her as soon as possible."Prior to her detention, Ms Cheng had worked in Beijing for several years. Many of her family members, including her two young children, live in Australia.
Australia said its representatives had been able to visit her once a month - in line with the bilateral consular agreement with China.