Last remaining Australian China correspondents @billbirtles & @MikeSmithAFR pulled out for fears about their safety after state security staged after midnight visits to their homes, prompting 5 days of tense negotiations to ensure they wouldn't de detained
amp.abc.net.au/article/126387…
"China correspondents for AFR & Australian Broadcasting Corporation spent five days under protection in Australian diplomatic missions".
After Australian government urged both journalists to leave, Chinese officials initially banned them from leaving.
afr.com/politics/feder…
"The evacuation means for the first time since the mid-1970s there are no accredited Australian media journalists in China, with correspondent for The Australian Will Glasgow also out of the country."
"Seven police officers arrived at Birtles' apartment at midnight last Wednesday as he was holding farewell drinks with friends and colleagues".
A message of intimidation that will not have been lost on the other journalists at @billbirtles get-together.
"Other countries grappling with China will take note. If their bilateral relationship deteriorates, then their own nationals will be in the firing line as well".
@mcgregorrichard on lessons from fate of Australian journalists in China.
lowyinstitute.org/the-interprete…
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