Friends fear for health of Australian writer detained in China

[August 28, 2023]  By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Friends of detained Australian writer Yang Hengjun, put on trial in Beijing two years ago on undisclosed national security charges, say they fear for his health amid delays in a verdict in his case.

Pro-democracy blogger Yang is an Australian citizen born in China who was working in New York before his arrest at Guangzhou airport in 2019. His arrest coincided with a deterioration in relations between Australia and China and a verdict in his case has been repeatedly delayed.

A Beijing court heard Yang's trial in secret in May 2021 and the case against him has never been publicly disclosed. He has denied working as a spy for Australia or the United States. After 10 delays, a verdict in his case is due in October.

The Australian Embassy in Beijing visited Yang on Thursday and was told he had a 10 cm (4 inch) cyst on his kidney that may require surgery, heightening concerns for his health, said Feng Chongyi, his former academic supervisor at the University of Technology, Sydney, who has been briefed on the matter.

"I think this is a strong case for the Australian government to demand for Yang's release to Australia on medical parole," Feng said.

A statement by China's foreign ministry after Reuters sought comment made no mention of his condition.

It said Yang was "suspected of engaging in criminal activities that endanger the national security of the PRC" and said Chinese judicial bodies were reviewing his case.

It added China "opposes any person interfering via any means" in China's judicial processes.

Yang's case, and that of detained Australian journalist Cheng Lei, tried in secret on national security charges in March 2022, are being closely watched in Australia ahead of an anticipated visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Beijing.

A paramilitary policeman stands guard at the Australian embassy in Beijing, China January 24, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee/file photo

Albanese told reporters on Monday he would raise the concerns about Yang's health when he meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 meeting next month.

"We always raise issues of Australian citizens where either myself or my ministers meet with our international counterparts," he said, when asked about Yang's case.

A spokesperson for Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government shared the concerns of Yang's friends about delays in his case, and had called for basic standards of justice and medical treatment.

"The Australian government has consistently advocated for Dr Yang's interests and wellbeing, and for him to be reunited with his family," she said.

Yang said in a message to his friends that he was concerned about an article online accusing him of being recruited by a CIA agent posing as an exchange student in Shanghai in the 1980s, which he strongly denied.

Feng said Yang's supporters are worried his case will be used by the Chinese government to highlight its counter-espionage campaign.

Relations between the United States and China have soured in recent years over a range of issues, including national security with both sides accusing the other of espionage.

China expanded its anti-spying law in July, alarming the United States.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney and Laurie Chen in Beijing, additional reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Neil Fullick and Alison Williams)

[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.