Two Australian journalists have made a desperate dash back to Australia after fearing for their safety in China.

The Australian Financial Review’s Michael Smith and the ABC’s Bill Birtles both left China on Monday night after a tense diplomatic standoff, which Australia’s foreign minister called a “very disappointing series of events”.

AFR editor Paul Bailey says it was “chilling” to hear how Police knocked on the door of the journalist’s homes after midnight on Thursday to tell them they were part of an investigation.

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