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Cheng Lei – “A Memoir of Freedom”
“Making the Most of Nothing – “A Memoir of Freedom” Australian Journalist & Advocate for Press Freedom In August 2020 Cheng Lei she was detained by Chinese authorities on suspicion of espionage but no details of the accusations against her were provided. Lei was detained until October 2023 when she returned to Australia and reunited […]
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“Making the Most of Nothing – “A Memoir of Freedom”
Australian Journalist & Advocate for Press Freedom
In August 2020 Cheng Lei she was detained by Chinese authorities on suspicion of espionage but no details of the accusations against her were provided. Lei was detained until October 2023 when she returned to Australia and reunited with her family.
The charges alleged she was involved in activities endangering China’s national security, though specific details were not provided.
After being held for over three years, she was released in October 2023 and reunited with her family in Australia.
Cheng Lei was born in China and moved to Australia at the age of 10. She is fluent in both Chinese and English and began her career in accounting, working with multinational companies like Cadbury Schweppes and ExxonMobil. Despite the stable path in accounting, Cheng took a 90% pay cut to pursue her passion for journalism in China.
Her career in television journalism took off rapidly. Starting as an intern, she quickly rose to become a presenter within three months.
In just 18 months, she was appointed as the China Correspondent for CNBC, one of the world’s most prominent business TV networks.
During her nine-year tenure, she extensively covered China’s economic developments, providing in-depth reports and interviews with key figures in business and politics.
Cheng later joined CGTN in Beijing, where she served as a presenter for the Global Business show. Her expertise and insights made her a well-respected figure in the industry.
Currently, Cheng is a presenter and columnist at Sky News Australia, continuing her impactful career in journalism.
Cheng Lei’s book “Cheng Lei – A Memoir of Freedom” was released in June 2025 and is a powerful and harrowing account of her three-year ordeal in China that began with her arrest in August 2020. This is vivid and brave writing that offers a rare glimpse into China’s ultra-secret state security prisons and what it takes to survive such incarceration with your humanity intact.
To enquire about Cheng Lei for your next event contact Helene Greenham directly – helene@platinumspeakers.com.au
Cheng Lei’s full bio can be found at: https://www.platinumspeakers.com.au/speaker/cheng-lei/