Chinese-Australian Writer Receives Suspended Death Penalty in China on Espionage Charges
In a shocking turn of events, a Chinese-Australian writer, Yang Hengjun, has been sentenced to a suspended death penalty in China after being detained for five years on espionage charges. The news was revealed by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who expressed the government’s appallment at the sentence. However, there is a possibility that the sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment after two years if Yang does not commit any serious crimes during that period.
Yang, a 58-year-old Australian citizen and democracy activist born in China, was detained in 2019 at the airport in Guangzhou when he arrived with his wife from New York to visit family in China. He was later charged with espionage, accusations that he vehemently denies. The details of his charges, including the country he was accused of spying for, have not been disclosed by Chinese authorities.
The trial for Yang’s case was held behind closed doors in a heavily guarded court in Beijing in 2021. Australian diplomats were denied entry, and the verdict and sentence were repeatedly delayed. China’s court system is known for its opacity, especially in cases involving national security, and it boasts a conviction rate of over 99%.
Throughout his detention, Yang has suffered from poor health. Last year, he expressed fears that he might die in prison after a large cyst was found on his kidney. The Australian government has been advocating for Yang with China at every opportunity and at the highest levels. Wong vowed to continue pressing for Yang’s interests and wellbeing, including appropriate medical treatment, and to provide consular assistance to him and his family.
The sentence received by Yang has been widely condemned by human rights groups. Daniela Gavshon, Australia director at Human Rights Watch, called it catastrophic for Yang and his family and urged stronger action from Canberra to increase pressure on Beijing. She described the sentence as alarming after years of arbitrary detention, allegations of torture, and a closed and unfair trial without access to his own choice of lawyers.
Yang’s friend and former PhD supervisor in Australia, Feng Chongyi, called the sentence a barbarous act by the Chinese Communist regime. He believes that Yang is being punished for his criticism of human rights abuses in China and his advocacy for universal values such as human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Feng expressed concern for Yang’s health, stating that he is now critically ill, and called on the Australian government to arrange medical parole for him and bring him back to Australia as soon as possible.
This is not the first time that Australians caught up in national security cases have caused tensions between Beijing and Canberra. Last year, Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei was released by China after more than three years of detention on opaque espionage charges. The details of the allegations against Cheng were never revealed by Beijing throughout her detention.
The fate of Yang Hengjun has once again highlighted the opaque criminal justice system in Beijing, which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. The international community is closely watching this case, hoping for a fair resolution and the safe return of Yang to his family.
