Imprisoned journalist Cheng Lei thought she would never return to Australia.
And now, years later, she has visited Canberra to thank the prime minister in person for achieving the unachievable.
The mother of two spent two years and 11 months in a Chinese jail accused of national security-related offences after accidentally breaking an information embargo a few minutes early.
During that time, she penned a love letter to Australia and wrote of the many things she missed including the sun and - most of all - her children.
The government had provided consular assistance to Ms Cheng and her family throughout the period and, in October, she finally returned to Australia after the Chinese legal processes concluded.
On Tuesday, she at last had an opportunity to thank Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when she presented him with a gift at Parliament House.
The framed work of Chinese calligraphy was created by her uncle, Ms Cheng explained.
"It says, Prime Minister Albanese: close to the people, loves the people, protects the people," she said.
"I thought it was unachievable at the time ... (but now) I am very, very grateful."
Mr Albanese hugged Ms Cheng and explained how her return had been kept under wraps within his government.
"It was such a wonderful day," he said.
"We were very pleased we achieved the outcome.
"It takes determination and we were determined."
He thanked Ms Cheng for her gift and called it a great honour.
With Ms Cheng now free, the government's efforts have turned to Australian writer Yang Hengjun, who has been imprisoned for the last five years over espionage charges.
Dr Yang is awaiting a long-delayed verdict from his trial and in that time has developed serious health complications.
On the anniversary of his imprisonment, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong maintained the government was doing all it could to advocate for his wellbeing and interests.
