China hands suspended death sentence to writer Yang Jun for spying; Australia declares it ‘harrowing news’ for family

“The Australian government will be communicating our response in the strongest terms.”

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China hands down suspended death sentence to Australian writer Yang Jun for spying

Yang Jun, also known as Yang Hengjun, is a Chinese-born Australian citizen. He was arrested in China in 2019 on espionage charges, but Chinese authorities have not announced a verdict or released details of the case.

Under China’s criminal justice system, if Yang does not commit a more serious crime while imprisoned during the two-year suspended sentence, he will be given a life sentence rather than the death penalty.

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Australian journalist Cheng Lei in first interview since release from China detention

A former diplomat, Yang became an active blogger and frequent commentator on Chinese political and social events.

Yang’s wife Yuan Xiaoliang, an Australian permanent resident, has also been banned from leaving China, according to reports.

Ahead of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Beijing in November, Yang’s sons published an open letter in the Australian media urging Albanese to “do all in your power to save our father’s life”.

Canberra has also repeatedly called on Beijing to release Yang.

Improved China ties helped bring home detained journalist: Australian minister

Yang’s sentence is expected to affect Australia-China relations, which recently saw signs of improvements after Albanese’s Labor government was elected.

South China Morning Post