'Good to be home': Two Australian journalists dramatically pulled out of China following Cheng Lei detention

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 "It's just good to be home."

Those six words are familiar to most Australians, once their plane lands and they clear passport control.

But ABC reporter Bill Birtles probably meant it more than most.


He and fellow journalist Michael Smith, from The Australian Financial Review, landed in Sydney this morning after the pair were dramatically pulled out of China by their news organisations, over fears they were no longer safe.

Birtles and Smith had endured a daunting last week, facing possible detention in China. 

https://www.9news.com.au/national/bill-birtles-michael-smith-two-australian-journalists-pulled-from-china-after-cheng-lei-detention-abc-afr/f9d7e92a-e04a-4866-a08e-68786809e6b9

Michael Smith from the Australian Financial Review lands back in Sydney, after rushing home from China.

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