Foreign minister voices 'serious concerns' for Australian writer Yang Hengjun jailed in China

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently expressed "grave concerns" about the health of Australian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun, who is imprisoned in China. Yang Hengjun has been detained since 2019 on espionage charges. A year ago, a Beijing court sentenced him to a suspended death sentence.

Yang Hengjun and the Australian government have repeatedly denied the espionage allegations. Yang Hengjun did not appeal the verdict, with his family stating that he lacked confidence in the Chinese judicial system and that his own health prevented him from pursuing further legal battles. Yang Hengjun reportedly told supporters last year that he had a large cyst on his kidney and feared dying in prison due to a lack of proper medical treatment.

Senator Wong said in a statement: "We have grave concerns about Dr. Yang Hengjun's health and wellbeing. We will continue to advocate for his needs to be met, including appropriate medical care." She also stated that the Australian government had made it clear to China that it was "appalled" by the suspended death sentence handed down to the Chinese-born Australian citizen and wanted to see Yang Hengjun reunited with his family.

Wong emphasized that "Dr. Yang Hengjun is entitled to basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment, in accordance with international norms and China’s own legal obligations." Yang Hengjun underwent a closed-door trial in May 2021, but Australian officials were denied access to the courtroom, and the verdict was not announced until earlier this month.

Yang Hengjun's family and supporters said in a statement at the time that Yang Hengjun was targeted by the Chinese government because he "wrote and published hundreds of online articles explaining and advocating universal values – human rights, democracy, the rule of law – values that Australians at home sometimes take for granted." The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded that China "governs the country according to law" and asked Australia to "respect" its judicial sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "China... fully protects the legitimate rights and interests of the parties concerned and fully respects and protects Australia's consular rights, such as the right of access."

It is understood that if Yang Hengjun does not commit any "serious crimes" within two years, his suspended death sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment. Senator Wong said: "The past year, and the five years of detention before sentencing, have been a difficult and dark period for Dr. Yang Hengjun. Throughout, he has shown inner strength and remarkable resilience."