China Court Issues Suspended Death Sentence for Australian Writer Yang Hengjun, Reports Reuters

By Kirsty Needham and Laurie Chen

SYDNEY/BEIJING – A Beijing court has delivered a suspended death sentence to Australian writer Yang Hengjun on espionage charges, raising concerns about the recent improvements in diplomatic relations between Australia and China after years of tension.

The ruling comes five years after Yang’s arrest in China and three years after his trial, which was conducted behind closed doors. This decision has left his family and supporters in shock and is likely to complicate the ongoing warming of ties between the two countries, which had been strained over trade issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and concerns about China’s security policies.

Yang, a pro-democracy blogger and Australian citizen originally from China, was taking a break in New York when he was detained at Guangzhou airport in 2019. His background includes work for China’s Ministry of State Security from 1989 to 1999. He has been accused of spying for an unnamed country, but the specifics of the allegations remain undisclosed.

A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry confirmed that Yang had been guilty of espionage and sentenced to death, with a two-year probation period. During this time, he will remain incarcerated and his personal property will be confiscated. The foreign ministry noted that Australian representatives were allowed to attend the sentencing and affirmed that all procedures were properly followed.

In China, a suspended death sentence means that if the individual does not commit further serious offenses in the probationary period, the sentence is typically converted to life in prison or fixed-term imprisonment.

Yang’s wife attended the hearing, and a Sydney-based academic, Feng Chongyi, described the verdict as a significant injustice, stating that Yang has consistently denied the charges against him. Feng emphasized that Yang’s criticism of human rights abuses in China and his advocacy for universal values have led to his punishment.

Feng called on the Australian government to pursue medical parole for Yang, noting the detrimental impact of five years of detention on his health. The Australian government expressed its dismay at the court’s ruling and summoned China’s ambassador for discussions. Foreign Minister Penny Wong remarked on the harrowing nature of this development for Yang and his family.

Yang’s family expressed their devastation over the news, which exceeded their worst fears. His two sons, who reside in Australia, recently urged Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to advocate for their father’s release on medical grounds, particularly in light of a reported cyst on his kidney.

Australia has raised concerns regarding recurring delays in Yang’s case and has sought assurances for his well-being, including access to medical care. A secret trial was held for Yang in May 2021, but the charges against him have never been made public. He has consistently denied any allegations of espionage.

Yang’s detention occurred during a period of icy relations between Australia and China, but there had been glimmers of hope for his release following a recent improvement in ties and the earlier release of another Australian citizen. Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to China marked a significant development as it was the first by an Australian leader since 2016, amid various geopolitical tensions.

Analysts suggest that this court ruling could hinder future diplomatic progress, making it challenging for the Albanese government to navigate domestic political pressures related to the case. Yang, who has also been a prominent blogger discussing the intersection of politics in China and the United States, was arrested during a personal visit to China in January 2019, alongside his wife.

Having previously faced a brief detention in 2011, Yang had established his life in Australia after migrating in 1999 and obtaining citizenship in 2002. He studied at the University of Technology Sydney, where he was a PhD candidate.

Following his arrest, Yang spent subsequent years writing novels, published elsewhere, which featured themes of espionage.

Human Rights Watch has condemned the court’s decision, urging the Australian government to collaborate with other countries facing similar issues regarding their citizens’ arbitrary detention.