The Australian media reported (August 31) that Chinese authorities had notified the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs that Chinese-Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei was arrested in China on August 14. The Chinese-born journalist, who graduated from the University of Queensland, worked for five years with Cadbury Schweppes and ExxonMobil in Melbourne and became an Australian citizen before returning to Beijing in 2003. The high-profile anchor was the China correspondent for US pay TV network CNBC for nine years. Since 2013 she has been a business reporter for Chinese state media network CGTN-News, the English language channel of China Central Television. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on August 31 night that Australian officials had an initial consular visit with Cheng at a detention facility via video link on 27 August and that the government "will continue to provide assistance and support to her and her family." reports surfaced on August 31 that two other CCTV anchors, Ouyang Xiadan and Dong Qing, disappeared recently with unconfirmed rumours that they are "assisting" the investigation into Sun Lijun.

(Comment: No details were given as to the reasons for Cheng Lei's arrest.)