Australian Pro-Democracy Blogger Given Suspended Death Sentence in Beijing
Australian pro-democracy blogger Yang Hengjun has received a suspended death sentence from a Chinese court after being accused of espionage, according to the Australian government. Yang, a 58-year-old academic with Australian citizenship, was born in China. The news has drawn harsh criticism from the Australian government, which expressed its appallment at the ruling. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the sentence was harrowing news for Dr Yang and his family and all who have supported him and promised to communicate the government’s response strongly.
Yang was arrested in 2019 on charges of national security and accused of spying, which he denies. He was convicted in May 2021 following a one-day closed-door trial, where the verdict and sentence were not publicly disclosed. Wong revealed that Yang’s sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment if he avoids serious crimes within a two-year period.
The Australian government has been actively advocating for Yang’s release and has consistently called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness, and humane treatment in line with international norms and China’s legal obligations. Wong emphasized that the government would continue to press for Yang’s interests and well-being, including the provision of appropriate medical treatment and consular assistance to him and his family.
Concerns have risen over Yang’s health, especially after the detection of a large cyst in one of his kidneys. In October, his relatives sent a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, highlighting their worries about his declining health and urging the leader to secure his release during his planned visit to China in November.
The arrest of Yang and several other Australian citizens has strained the relationship between Canberra and Beijing. However, diplomatic and commercial ties between the two nations showed signs of improvement with Albanese’s visit, which marked the first official visit by an Australian leader to China since 2016. This recent sentencing comes as a setback following the positive developments in bilateral relations.
The case of Yang Hengjun highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges surrounding human rights issues and freedom of expression. As the Australian government continues its efforts to secure his release, the international community will closely follow the developments and their implications for diplomatic relations between China and Australia.
