Cheng Lei rediscovers her voice after 'cruelty' of Chinese detention

Australian journalist's memoir chronicles both brutal conditions and acts of kindness

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Cheng Lei speaks to Nikkei Asia in Sydney on June 18. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)

SOPHIE MAK

SYDNEY -- After building a career explaining China to the outside world, Australian journalist Cheng Lei found herself known only as inmate 21003. She was imprisoned at the No. 47 Dahongmen Nanlu detention center in Beijing, where she had to follow a strict set of rules, primary among them was a ban on any criticism of the ruling Communist Party.

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