FM on Australia citizens detained in Myanmar, China

Australia's foreign minister Marise Payne on Monday called for the release of Sean Turnell, an Australian academic detained in Myanmar after last week's military coup.

Turnell is an economic adviser to Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to Australian broadcaster ABC.

He heads the Myanmar Development Institute in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw. He has lived and worked in Myanmar since 2017.

Describing Turnell as a highly regarded member of Australia's academic community, Payne said he should be freed immediately.

Payne also announced that another Australian citizen, television journalist Cheng Lei, has now formally been arrested by Chinese authorities, having been detained in August.

"Cheng Lei has now been formally arrested on suspicion of illegally supplying state secrets overseas," Payne told reporters.

Cheng Lei is a journalist who, at the time of her arrest, was working as an anchor for China's state-run television channel CGTN.

Payne said Australia would continue to provide her with the strongest possible consular support and to engage as strongly as possible with Chinese authorities about the case.

(Image credit: AP)