Canberra has called for the release of an Australian journalist who has been detained in China for 1,000 days, while expressing concerns about the politically motivated delay of the case.

Cheng Lei, a former anchor at Chinese state broadcaster CGTN, was arrested on August 13, 2020, and charged with “supplying state secrets overseas.” She is a mother of two and one of many foreign citizens detained by China amidst strained international relations.

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Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized that despite Lei’s resilience and courage during her detainment, all Australians want her to be reunited with her family. Nick Coyle, Lei’s friend, called for her release in an opinion piece for The Australian newspaper, highlighting the impact of her detainment on her children.

Since her arrest, Lei has had limited contact with the outside world and only monthly consular visits. The Australian government has previously suggested that the fate of its jailed nationals in China has hindered attempts to repair relations between the two countries.