University of Technology Sydney

Feng Chongyi, a China studies academic at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), was conducting interviews for a human rights project.

"I'm not scared of them. I did not do anything illegal," he said after he was finally allowed to leave Guangzhou.

Dr Feng is an Australian permanent resident but retains a Chinese passport.

He travelled to China a month ago and was first questioned in Kunming in south-western Yunnan province, before twice being barred from flights leaving Guangzhou.

Dr Chongyi Feng, a China studies academic at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), was halted at Guangzhou airport.

Australian Justice Minister Michael Keenan said officials had contacted relatives of Dr Feng, who is an Australian permanent resident but a Chinese citizen.

It comes as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang concluded a five-day Australian visit.

The Australian Broadcasting Corp reported Dr Feng was stopped from boarding flights in Guangzhou on Friday and Saturday.