I'd rather die than return to China: defector Chen

Australia: "Former Chinese diplomat Chen Yong Lin says he 'would rather die' than 'be forced' to return to China in his original letter pleading for political asylum.

"ABC Radio's AM program has revealed the full contents of Mr Chen's letter, in which he says his job at the Chinese consulate in Sydney has given him 'frequent nightmares' in the last four years and that his life was now at risk.

"In his two page letter, Mr Chen asks for political asylum three times.

"Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says he has received no formal application from Mr Chen.

"Greens Senator Bob Brown says the letter clearly states Mr Chen's request.

"'Mr Chen says "I now seek political asylum from the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia",' Senator Brown said.

"'What part of the sentence does Mr Downer not understand?'"
Source: ABC

Activists fear mass Chinese asylum seeker deportation
"A refugee advocacy group says Chinese Government officials have visited detainees at the Baxter and Villawood immigration detention centres, raising concerns that there may be a mass deportation of asylum seekers.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) says it has been told that Chinese detainees were isolated from other detainees and asked a range of personal questions. "
Source

'Duckshoving Downer' urged to grant Chen visa