After three years as a political prisoner in Beijing, Cheng Lei is not merely rebuilding her life; she is redefining it.
The Australian journalist, deported from China in October 2023, has since penned a memoir, developed a play about her incarceration, tried her hand at stand-up comedy, and resumed her career in journalism. Her story offers a rare, stark insight into the harsh conditions within China’s secretive prison system, alongside a deeply personal narrative of resilience.
