In September last year, the AFR's Michael Smith received a late night knock on the door by Chinese secret police, forcing him to flee his home and take consular protection for five days, until he and the ABC's Bill Birtles were safely evacuated home by Australian authorities.

Michael joins Cannings On the Couch to discuss this experience and the ensuing diplomatic storm, but also how he ended up in China, what life was like there during the pandemic, and where things are likely to end up in the increasingly fraught relationship between China and Australia.