Zhang Hong Jie
Encyclopedia
Zhang Hongjie also known as Steffi Zhang was a 25-year-old Chinese
University of Canberra
communications student found murdered in her flat in Belconnen
in January 2005. The killing caused an uproar, because the body was not discovered for seven months after the murder, which was said to have happened in June 2004. Police
identified a suspect in the killing, her boyfriend at the time : Zhang Long from the city of Dalian
. He flew to Shanghai
, China
shortly after the incident, where he was being held as of August 2005. No charge is being laid and China has not agreed to extradite him, although asked to by the Australian government.
After the killing, the University of Canberra introduced changes to their policy for international students and management.
The Federal Government of Australia
wants the Australian Capital Territory
(ACT includes Canberra) to cooperate with the Chinese investigation into the murder, as written by a letter from John Howard
to Chief Minister
Stanhope in May 2005, and another request from Justice Minister Chris Ellison
in June. The ACT government does not want to because it may mean Zhang would face a firing squad in China if convicted.
On 27 February 2005 a warrant
was issued in the ACT Magistrates court for Zhang's arrest.
The ACT Liberal opposition wants the Chief Minister to use his Chinese contacts to bring Zhang to 'justice'.
In April 2005, Justice Minister Chris Ellison was expected to discuss the case with Chinese Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang in Beijing.
In April 2006, Minister Chris Ellison confirmed that the government raised the case in talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who was visiting the country at the time.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
University of Canberra
University of Canberra
Over the years the Stone Day program has gradually become larger and larger, taking up a whole week and now Stonefest is one of Australia's most popular music festivals. The first foundation celebrations were held in 1971. In 1973 Stone Day celebrations were held over two days, which was expanded...
communications student found murdered in her flat in Belconnen
Belconnen
Belconnen is a district of Canberra, the capital city of Australia, comprising 25 suburbs with 29,900 dwellings housing 82,247 people of the 311,518 people in the Australian Capital Territory ....
in January 2005. The killing caused an uproar, because the body was not discovered for seven months after the murder, which was said to have happened in June 2004. Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
identified a suspect in the killing, her boyfriend at the time : Zhang Long from the city of Dalian
Dalian
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
. He flew to Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
shortly after the incident, where he was being held as of August 2005. No charge is being laid and China has not agreed to extradite him, although asked to by the Australian government.
After the killing, the University of Canberra introduced changes to their policy for international students and management.
The Federal Government of Australia
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
wants the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
(ACT includes Canberra) to cooperate with the Chinese investigation into the murder, as written by a letter from John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
to Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
Stanhope in May 2005, and another request from Justice Minister Chris Ellison
Chris Ellison
Christopher Martin Ellison , is a former Liberal member of the Australian Senate. He represented Western Australia in the Senate from July 1993 to January 2009.-Background:...
in June. The ACT government does not want to because it may mean Zhang would face a firing squad in China if convicted.
On 27 February 2005 a warrant
Warrant (law)
Most often, the term warrant refers to a specific type of authorization; a writ issued by a competent officer, usually a judge or magistrate, which permits an otherwise illegal act that would violate individual rights and affords the person executing the writ protection from damages if the act is...
was issued in the ACT Magistrates court for Zhang's arrest.
The ACT Liberal opposition wants the Chief Minister to use his Chinese contacts to bring Zhang to 'justice'.
In April 2005, Justice Minister Chris Ellison was expected to discuss the case with Chinese Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang in Beijing.
In April 2006, Minister Chris Ellison confirmed that the government raised the case in talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who was visiting the country at the time.
External links
- Press Conference AFP
- Parents of Chinese student seek justice
- Stanhope stands in way of achieving justice - ACT liberals site
- Sydney Morning Herald
- Vogue forum - Canberra uni student dead for months unnoticed
- Ninemsn news - Murder suspect arrested in China
- Net closing in on chinese students killer - ABC 666 news
- riotact - Stanhope protects alleged murderer from the death sentence
- Radio Australia news
- NowUC - Canberra Community shocked by the murder of Steffi Zhang