The visit by Chinese Premier Li Quang is an opportunity to make clear Australia’s discomfort with how quickly freedoms are vanishing.
the visit is an “opportunity for Australia to advance our interests by demonstrating our national values” and that “Australia continues to pursue a stable and direct relationship with China, with dialogue at its core”.
A protester holds a placard ahead of a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Adelaide Zoo as part of a four-day Australian visit.In the lead-up to this landmark visit, increasingly brazen steps have been taken to crack down on freedoms in Hong Kong. New, draconian national security laws have been introduced despite significant human rights concerns raised by the UN. Peaceful protesters, as well as booksellers, journalists and children’s book authors have been arrested and prosecuted.
At 76, Lai is Hong Kong’s oldest and most high-profile political prisoner. He is currently on trial and is in solitary confinement. He could spend the rest of his life in prison for his pro-democracy writing and campaigning. In recognition of the political persecution he has faced, he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
As these governments, parliaments and experts recognise, this is not just about Jimmy Lai. From our media defence work around the world, the targeting of Lai is one of the worst we have seen. The clear message to all media and journalists in the region is stay silent, or you’ll be next. Beijing continually says press freedom is “respected and protected” but Lai’s case shows otherwise.
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