China will put an Australian television anchor on trial over state secret charges that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, escalating a case that has contributed to tensions between Beijing and Canberra.
Cheng Lei, a Chinese-born Australian who most recently worked for state broadcaster CGTN, will appear at the Beijing No. 2 People’s Intermediate Court at 9 a.m. on Thursday after 19 months of detention, Australia’s ABC news reported Friday.
Australian diplomats aren’t expected to be able to attend the trial, the news outlet reported. Cheng’s children, age 10 and 12, are living with family members in Melbourne.