Chinese authorities said on Thursday (March 30) that Australian university academic, Feng Chongyi, was blocked from leaving China to “safeguard national security.”
Feng entered China three weeks ago to work on his research involving human rights issues. The China studies specialist was held for questioning in Kunming, the provincial capital of southwestern Yunnan last Monday (March 20). Later that week, he was barred twice from boarding a flight to Sydney at Guangzhou’s international airport.
Feng is an Australian permanent resident but a Chinese national, his wife, who traveled with him to China, is an Australian national. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated that it is unable to assist Feng since he did not enter China with an Australian passport.
The case of University of Technology Sydney (UTS) associate professor Feng comes just as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang finishes a five-day official visit in Australia.
