Chinese national missing in Aussie state capital suspected dead

Australian police have informed the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney that missing Chinese national Yu Qi is suspected dead, authorities said on Wednesday.

The victim's family in China had requested consular assistance, the Consulate-General said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Consulate-General had urged the Australian police to step up efforts to solve the case as soon as possible, the statement said.

Yu, 28, last made contact with her family in China at about 7:15pm local time last Friday (June 8). The police later located her white Toyota Corolla car in New South Wales state capital Sydney's Burwood suburb, near the Campsie area where she was staying, according to the Australian authorities.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder amid investigation into Yu's disappearance, state police said.

Staff from the Consulate-General met Yu's family on Tuesday at a local police station and helped attend to their needs.

The Consulate-General said it will continue to work with the police and Yu's family to facilitate the investigation of the case and protect the legal rights and interests of the Chinese citizens.