How did Australian officials respond to the shadowing incident?

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Australian Officials Expressed Concern to China Over Diplomat Shadowing Incident

Australian officials have formally expressed their concern to China following an incident where two Chinese diplomats allegedly shadowed Sky News journalist Cheng Lei at a ceremonial event. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australian officials engaged with the Chinese embassy to convey this concern, describing the diplomats' actions as a "pretty clumsy attempt" to obstruct media coverage. Australian officials intervened at the event to ask the Chinese officials to move.
Diplomatic Channels Used to Convey Concern

Australian authorities communicated their unease to China through diplomatic channels after the event. Prime Minister Albanese indicated that Australian officials directly addressed the matter with the Chinese embassy. This follow-up action highlights the government's stance on the behaviour of the Chinese diplomats.
Description of the Incident

The incident involved two Chinese officials positioning themselves near Cheng Lei during a ceremonial event attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. Cheng Lei, a former anchor for Chinese state broadcaster CGTN who was detained in China for three years, reported that the officials appeared to be attempting to block her from being filmed alongside Premier Li. She described their actions as an effort to prevent her from being captured in the same frame, potentially to avoid negative optics during Li's visit.
Intervention by Australian Officials

Australian officials present at the event intervened when they observed the actions of the Chinese diplomats. Prime Minister Albanese stated that Australian officials appropriately asked the Chinese officials to relocate. This intervention aimed to ensure that media personnel, including Cheng Lei, could perform their duties without undue interference.

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How did Australian officials respond to the shadowing incident?

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