Australian-Chinese journalist Cheng Lei has been detained for the last three weeks on national security grounds, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday.

Cheng, who worked for the state-run China Global Television Network since 2012, was detained by Chinese authorities since Aug.14 for “carrying out criminal activities endangering China’s national security.”

Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that “compulsory measures” have been taken in Cheng’s case, and the investigation is ongoing.

The announcement came just hours after two Australian foreign correspondents, Bill Birtles of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Michael Smith of the Australian Financial Review, were flown out of China after being questioned by state security agents.

State security agents visited Birtles’ apartment at midnight last Wednesday to tell him he was banned from leaving the country, and that he would be questioned the next day over a national security case, the ABC reported.

Birtles sought refuge in the Australian Embassy in Beijing and later agreed to answer the authorities’ questions on the condition that he would be allowed to leave the country afterwards.

Smith was also contacted by Chinese police last Wednesday, and took shelter in the Australian consulate in Shanghai. The two men took a flight back to Sydney on Monday night while accompanied by diplomatic personnel.

After returning to Sydney, Birtles described the experience as a “whirlwind” and that it was “not a particularly good experience.”

“It’s very disappointing to have to leave under those circumstances, and it’s a relief to be back in a country with a genuine rule of law,” he said. “It’s just good to be home.”

Last week, Australian diplomats cautioned Birtles that he should leave China, and officials gave the same advice to ABC’s managing director David Anderson in Sydney. Birtles was originally scheduled to leave the country last Thursday, but was approached by state security agents at his farewell party the night before.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement that Australian diplomats had engaged with Chinese authorities to ensure the journalists’ wellbeing and secured their return home.

“The Australian Government has provided consular support to two Australian journalists in China to assist their return to Australia,” Payne said.

Australia’s travel warnings for China remain unchanged, Payne added.

On Tuesday, Zhao said that the questioning of the two Australian journalists was part of “normal law enforcement,” and that authorities strictly followed laws and regulations.

Foreign media must also obey Chinese laws, Zhao added, saying that he hoped China and Australia can continue their cooperation and strengthen consensus.

The departure of Birtles and Smith meant that there are no accredited Australian media journalists in China for the first time since the mid-1970s, according to the ABC.

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