Cheng Lei is a Chinese-born Australian television news anchor and business reporter known for her significant contributions to journalism. Cheng has worked for China Global Television Network (CGTN), CNBC, and Sky News Australia.
Let’s read Cheng Lie wiki and know more about her life, husband, children, family, career, and awards.
Cheng Lei Wiki & Early Life
Cheng Lei was born in Yueyang, Hunan province, in 1975. At the age of 10, she migrated to Melbourne, Australia, with her family in 1985 due to her father’s PhD program. Cheng adapted to her new environment and eventually became an Australian citizen in 2003, embracing her new nationality while maintaining her cultural roots.
This move marked the beginning of her new life in Australia, where she would later become an Australian citizen in 2003.
| Full Name | Cheng Lei |
| Nick Name | Cheng |
| Profession | Journalist and News anchor |
| Age | 49 years old (as of 2024) |
| Date of Birth | 1975 |
| Nationality | Chinese-Australian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Birthplace | Yueyang, Hunan province |
| Current Address | Melbourne, Australia |
Cheng Lei Husband & Children
Specific details about Cheng Lei husband Nick Coyle and her 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son are not available as of now. We’ll soon update all the details.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband/Boyfriend | Nick Coyle |
| Children | Son and Daughter |
Cheng Lei Family
Cheng Lei moved to Australia with her family in 1985. Her father’s educational pursuits prompted this relocation, which greatly influenced Cheng’s future. However, there is no information about her mother or siblings if any.
Cheng Lei Education
Cheng attended the University of Queensland, where she completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 1995. She is also a certified practicing accountant and an accredited Chinese-English translator. Her educational background laid a solid foundation for her career in both accounting and journalism.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | University of Queensland |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor of Commerce |
Cheng Lei Career
The Australian journalist Cheng Lei began her professional journey as an accountant for Cadbury Schweppes and later worked as a business analyst for ExxonMobil. However, her passion for journalism led her to television reporting in China in 2002 after a screen test with CGTN’s predecessor, CCTV. She worked in Shanghai and Singapore as CNBC‘s China correspondent before returning to Beijing in 2012 to work at CCTV. Currently, Cheng Lie is the presenter and columnist at Sky News Australia.
Throughout her career, Cheng hosted significant events like the Australia China Business Awards in 2013, the APEC Women Leadership Forum in 2014, and the Norway Asia Business Summit in 2019.
Controversies
In August 2020, Cheng Lei Sky News was detained by Chinese authorities on suspicion of endangering national security. This event marked a significant controversy in her career, highlighting the escalating tensions between Australia and China.
She was formally arrested in February 2021 for allegedly supplying state secrets overseas. Cheng described her detention as involving a “sophisticated form of torture.” She was released and returned to Australia in October 2023, bringing attention to issues of press freedom and international diplomacy.
Awards
Cheng received a National Award from UQ Business School in 2015, recognizing her contributions to journalism and her alma mater.
Cheng Lei Height
10 Interesting Facts About Cheng Lei
- Cheng Lei migrated to Australia at the age of 10.
- She initially pursued accounting due to her father’s encouragement, despite her interest in journalism.
- She became an Australian citizen in 2003.
- Cheng is bilingual in English and Mandarin.
- She hosted the Global Business program on CGTN.
- Worked as CNBC’s China correspondent for nine years.
- Reported on major events like the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics and the Shanghai 2010 World Expo.
- Detained by Chinese authorities in August 2020 and released in October 2023.
- Described her detention as involving a “sophisticated form of torture.”
- Conducted interviews with high-profile figures such as Bill Gates and Richard Branson.
FAQs
Who was the Australian journalist locked up in China?
Australian journalist Cheng Lei has reunited with her family in Australia after over three years of detention in China. “It was just a plain cell with blue curtains and a single bed,” she said.
Who is the husband of journalist Cheng Lei?
Nick Coyle is Cheng Lie’s husband, who lives in Melbourne, Australia with their 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son.
Who did Cheng Lei work for?
She worked for nine years as CNBC’s China correspondent. Cheng is currently, a presenter and columnist at Sky News Australia.
How long was Cheng Lei detained for?
An Australian journalist was detained in China for three years for breaking a government embargo by a few minutes. She shared this in her first interview since her release.
What was Cheng Lei jailed for?
Cheng was jailed for supplying state secrets overseas. Cheng, an Australian journalist, was convicted on vague espionage charges and detained in China for three years.
