In early June, Australian-Chinese journalist Cheng Lei, detained in China for three years, published her new book, "A Memoir of Freedom," recounting her investigation by state security, accusation of "illegally providing state secrets to foreign countries," and sentencing to two years and eleven months. She recorded this cruel and unbearable experience with delicate, emotional, and compassionate strokes, showcasing how an individual maintains dignity and independence in the face of the state machine.
Born in Yueyang, Hunan in 1975, Cheng Lei immigrated to Australia at age 10, spending her adolescence there. In 2002, she began her journalism career in China, working as a financial reporter and host for CCTV and CNBC, reporting on Chinese business and economics. In August 2020, while working at CGTN (China Global Television Network English Channel), Cheng Lei was taken away for investigation by state security. She was held in solitary confinement and repeatedly interrogated for three years and two months until her release in October 2023 through Australian government diplomatic efforts.
Why was Cheng Lei detained? What did she experience under "designated residence under surveillance" and imprisonment? What is a prison controlled by state security like? How did she, from a news anchor to prisoner "21003," face the enormous life change? How did she understand China's news and legal environment before and after the case? After experiencing all this, how does she deal with complex emotions towards China?
Timeline:
01:40 What was Cheng Lei's life like before the State Security Bureau approached her?
05:01 How were the days of "designated residence under surveillance" spent?
11:37 The reason for the investigation: seven minutes, one sentence
15:08 Friendships harmed by the State Security case, how to face former friends?
19:26 From believing in her innocence to slowly internalizing "I am guilty"
22:50 The environment, food, and friendships of the detention center
31:30 "How many prisoners are spies, and how many are collateral damage from international relations turmoil?"
33:26 Has Cheng Lei's identity changed after the case?
39:30 Does Cheng Lei still want to return to China?
44:22 As a financial anchor on CCTV, how did she understand China's news and legal environment?
48:36 The book's ending: "I hope readers can distinguish between China, the Chinese people, and the CCP"
51:22 Two years after release, what is Cheng Lei's life like?
57:21 Book recommendations, and "hoping to receive news from prison roommates"
Guest Recommendations:
Yuval Noah Harari, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind"
Jared Diamond, "Guns, Germs, and Steel"
Anthony Doerr, "All the Light We Cannot See"
Related Links:
"Cheng Lei: A Memoir of Freedom"
"Cheng Lei's story: China's horrific, ultra-secret prison facilities exposed"
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Original title:
成蕾:央视主播、泄露机密与国安监狱里的三年
Original description:
<p>今年6月上旬,曾被中国关押三年的澳大利亚华裔记者成蕾出版了新书《自由回忆录》,首次完整讲述了她被国家安全部门调查、被控“为境外非法提供国家机密”罪,并被判刑两年十一个月的全过程。她用细腻、感性…