Cheng Lei: Journalist held in China says she misses sunshine

China and it's hostage diplomacy tactics. It's how outlaw states run and it's fucking disgusting that we still treat with them when they pull this evil shit.

This is so fucked up… Probably not even the worst example of political repression in the current day either

There is no law or justice in China. No legal processes. No human rights or constitution. There is only the will of the party.

This is the best summary I could come up with:

In my cell, the sunlight shines through the window, but I can stand in it for only 10 hours a year," Cheng Lei said in an open letter to the people of Australia, dictated to diplomats who are able to speak to her each month.

The finance reporter was working for China's state media English-language television station CGTN when she was picked up, spending her first six months of detention in solitary confinement without charge.

"I relive every bushwalk, river, lake, beach with swims and picnics with psychedelic sunsets, sky that is lit up with stars, and the silent and secret symphony of the bush."

She said she misses sea salt, black humour, the Queensland tropics and the never-ending blue skies of Western Australia, as well as the sand between her toes.

There has been some speculation that the sentencing of Ms Cheng has been delayed so that her case can be used as a bargaining chip in the Chinese government's dealings with its Australian counterpart.

However, he is coming under considerable pressure at home not to make the trip until Ms Cheng and fellow Australian Yang Hengjun have been released.

I'm a bot and I'm open source!

She just doesn’t know how hot it’s been lately