“American Citizen Sentenced in China: Details Scarce, Risks Straining Sino-American Relations”

Such a heavy conviction against a foreign citizen on this ground is relatively rare. This announcement comes against the backdrop of a trip to Japan by US President Joe Biden, who is due to participate in the G7 summit in Hiroshima from May 19 to 21.

His personal property was also confiscated to the tune of 500,000 yuan (66,000 euros) during this first instance trial which was held on Monday, probably behind closed doors, as is usually the case in this type of case. .

No details on the alleged facts

The Suzhou authorities in charge of state security had taken “coercive measures” against this American citizen as early as 2021, according to the press release, a formulation which generally refers to detention. The press release does not mention the precise nature of the charges against John Shing-wan Leung, nor what was his profession or activity in China.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Beijing said it is aware of reports that a US citizen was sentenced in Suzhou. “The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens abroad,” the embassy said. “For reasons of confidentiality, we have no further comments to make. »

This condemnation risks further degrading Sino-American relations.

They have been tense in recent years due to disagreements on many subjects: the trade imbalance, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority, rivalry in the technology sector or the Chinese balloons affair in last February.

At the end of April, the Chinese Parliament adopted amendments to the national anti-espionage law, which now more explicitly prohibits the transfer outside China of any information related to national security and broadens the notion of espionage.

Reprisals

Foreigners are also regularly accused in China of espionage or similar charges.

Canberra had called last week for the release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who has been detained for more than 1,000 days and is being prosecuted by Beijing for “disclosing state secrets abroad”.