A Chinese national has died at an immigration detention facility in Australia, prompting the Chinese government to express serious concern, according to the British daily The Guardian.

According to reports on the 9th local time, a Chinese woman in her mid-30s was found dead on June 10 at a private immigration detention facility in Melbourne, Australia.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) handed the woman over to Secure Journeys, a U.S.-backed detention facility operator, on June 9, the day before her death.

Secure Journeys is the Australian subsidiary of Management and Training Corporation (MTC), a multinational correctional facility operator headquartered in the United States.

The woman had been detained by authorities on allegations of overstaying her English language study visa.

She was found hanging in her room within the detention facility and had no criminal record.

The Guardian reported that obtained documents show the ABF had previously informed Secure Journeys that the woman had a history of attempted self-harm and had recently expressed thoughts of self-harm and suicide.

The Guardian noted that the death has raised critical questions regarding whether authorities adequately monitored the woman and placed her in an appropriate room.

The Chinese Embassy in Australia made representations to the Australian side and expressed serious concern.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy stated, "China is closely monitoring this incident and will safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens."

According to Australian parliamentary data, between July 2025 and March of this year, 360 threats or actual incidents of self-harm were reported across immigration detention facilities in Australia, with at least two deaths recorded since the beginning of this year.

A spokesperson for Secure Journeys expressed deep condolences while stating that further comment is difficult as an investigation is underway.

Victoria Police are currently investigating the incident.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs also expressed condolences to the deceased's family and acquaintances.

A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said, "We have an obligation to protect the privacy of the deceased, and as investigations into this incident are ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment further."

Regarding the Chinese response, experts assessed it as firm but not excessive.

James Laurenceson of the Australia-China Relations Institute stated regarding the Chinese Embassy's statement, "It shows that China is taking this incident seriously," while adding that it should not be interpreted as an overly aggressive reaction.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)