An Australian Citizen Receives Suspended Death Sentence in China
On Monday, China announced that an Australian citizen, Yang Hengjun, has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for espionage. Yang, also known as Yang Jun, was detained in 2019 and charged with endangering national security, which falls under espionage.
The Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed shock and summoned China’s ambassador to Canberra in protest. Huang Yingxian, Australian ambassador to China, also expressed distress at the verdict, stating that if Yang behaves well, the suspended death sentence could be commuted to life imprisonment after two years. Under Chinese law, the commuted life imprisonment for a suspended prisoner is capped at 25 years.
The details of the case have been shrouded in mystery, and China has provided no evidence to support the allegation of espionage against Yang. He is a blogger, political commentator, and spy novelist who has been critical of China’s ruling Communist Party on social media.
Yang’s sentencing comes after China tightened its counterespionage laws last April, with the Ministry of State Security unveiling a series of articles claiming to have uncovered foreign intelligence operations.
The sentencing raises concerns for relations between Australia and China, which have recently begun to improve after years of hostility. The two countries had resolved a trade dispute, and China had previously released another detained Australian citizen.
Yang Hengjun’s case echoes other incidents of alleged foreign infiltration into China, including the imprisoned British businessman Ian J. Stones. However, neither the Chinese nor British governments have publicly addressed Stones’ case.
Feng Chongyi, a China studies professor at the University of Technology Sydney, has quoted eyewitnesses at the judgement scene stating that Yang was charged with leaking state secrets to a Taiwanese intelligence officer in 1994. Chongyi called these accusations “fabricated” and “heinous political persecution.”
The Australian government is urged to push for Yang’s release on medical parole due to his deteriorating health. According to consular reports, Yang Hengjun has faced health issues during his detention.
Dominic Meagher, deputy director of a Melbourne-based think tank, believes that Yang’s sentencing will intensify tensions between Australia and China after a recently warming period.
Yang Hengjun’s detention occurred during a period of deteriorating relations between Australia and China, largely due to disagreements over influence in the South Pacific and business involving Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic has further strained relations between the two countries.
Yang’s detention is part of a broader pattern of individuals being targeted by China, including Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Efforts to thaw relations were observed in early 2022 when China lifted import bans on Australian coal and reduced tariffs on Australian barley, as well as releasing Australian journalist Cheng Lei. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raised Yang Hengjun’s case in a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during his visit to China in November.
Overall, the sentencing of Yang Hengjun represents a significant setback to the recent improvement in Australia-China relations and raises concerns about the protection of individuals’ rights in China.