Sky News host Chris Smith says there are a group of victims of China’s trade war with Australia which, up until today, no one had “given two hoots about”.
“Beijing has blacklisted our $14 billion coal export industry, and at least 70 bulk carriers are sitting off China’s coast,” Mr Smith said.
“They’re full to the brim with high quality Aussie coal worth half-a-billion dollars”.
Mr Smith said the Chinese government has refused permission for them to unload and in turn, refused permission for the crews of those ships to “go anywhere near terra firma”.
“Hundreds of men are trapped on board each and every one of these ships,” Mr Smith said.
“But it gets worse. On one of these ships, most of the crew have been on board for 14 months.
“And no one can tell them when their ordeal will end.
“Only a cruel and callous country like China would punish innocent victims this way.”