The ABC’s Bill Birtles and the
Australian Financial Review’s Michael Smith forced to shelter with Australian
diplomats during negotiations for their safe exit
Two Australian foreign correspondents in
China have been urgently flown home after a tense diplomatic standoff, which Australia’s foreign minister labelled a “very disappointing series of events”.
The ABC’s Bill Birtles and the Australian Financial Review’s Michael Smith both left China on Monday night after being questioned by China’s ministry of state security.