Chinese-born Yang Hengjun has been in prison in China since 2019. He has Australian citizenship.
The Australian government announced on Monday that the Australian-Chinese writer and blogger To Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence has been imposed.
The case has attracted great attention in Australia. Among other things The Sydney Morning Herald writes, that throughout Yang’s imprisonment, China has not disclosed details of the grounds for the sentence. The 57-year-old Yang was arrested in 2019 at Guangzhou Airport while returning from New York.
Foreign minister Penny Wong characterized the verdict as “painful news”. According to Wong, the Australian government will appeal to have the sentence overturned and commuted to a life sentence. Australia plans to invite China’s ambassador for an interview.
Yang Hengjun, who also worked for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, has been in prison since 2019. He is accused of espionage. The writer’s health is said to have deteriorated in prison.
A secret trial
Yang’s sentencing has been postponed several times. A court hearing was scheduled for May 2021. Yang’s family is worried about the continued uncertainty about the writer’s future. Yang is said to be suffering from kidney problems.
The Australian government has repeatedly demanded guarantees regarding the organization of medical services and humane treatment in prison. Chinese authorities have not released details of the charges against Yang or whose account he is suspected of spying on. he has allegedly been spying.
In the message sent to the public, the author refers to his weak state of health. According to the message, “death in prison means that no one will ever know the truth.”
A setback to Australia and China’s tentatively warmed relations
Relations between Australia and China have been cool due to, among other things, trade disputes.
Australia excluded the Chinese company Huawei from developing its 5G network in 2019. Australia has also demanded an investigation into the origins of the pandemic. In response, China raised tariffs on grain, beef and wine and suspended coal imports to Australia.
Relations seemed to warm up a bit in 2023 when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Beijing. Yang’s death sentence could further sour diplomatic relations.
AFP, Reuters